Noni Madueke has stated that “critics make the game” following Chelsea’s triumphant victory in the Conference League final on Wednesday.
The Blues secured a 4-1 win over Real Betis in Wroclaw and added another trophy to their cabinet. Chelsea’s young squad initially struggled against a determined Betis side, falling behind early in the match.
However, two sublime assists from Cole Palmer turned the tide of the final, with Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson finding the back of the net, followed by goals from Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo to seal the victory in style.
“To the critics? Critics make the game,” said 23-year-old Madueke after the final whistle. “I’m not too worried about them, they spur you on so thank you. But you’re not going to get swearing out of me.”
Enzo Maresca’s team have had a challenging journey throughout the 2024/25 campaign, having only secured two Premier League wins in 10 matches between December and February, leading to fans criticising the team and the head coach during home games. Despite having the youngest squad in Premier League history and a manager in his first top-flight season, Chelsea were accused of playing a slow and uninspiring style of football that seemed to be rejected by supporters.
After securing their Champions League spot with a win against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea ended the season on a high, capturing their first trophy of the Clearlake Capital era in Poland. “The last few weeks we’ve taken a leap (in maturity),” Madueke reflected.
“You look at the game against Nottingham Forest how we came through that, the Liverpool (3-1) and United (1-0) games at home, and obviously (Wroclaw). The first half was difficult but we came out and showed our desire. I’m so proud.”
There was a lingering question during the run-in over whether, given the club’s history, finishing fourth and winning UEFA’s third competition would constitute success. “Of course that’s a success,” said Madueke.
“Especially where we’ve come from the last few years. We know Chelsea is a winning club so there was nothing in our minds apart from winning.”
Despite the difficulties, Maresca can look with satisfaction on his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge and on his growing reputation as a manager. He has now won trophies in his first two senior campaigns in England having led Leicester to the Championship title in 2023/24.
“The gaffer is top,” said Madueke. “He won last year at Leicester and he won this year in his first year at Chelsea, and qualified for the Champions League, so I don’t understand why there would be criticism of him.”
