Pedro Neto out to make huge Chelsea statement as Enzo Maresca faces brutal Noni Madueke decision

After a breath-taking display at Molineux in late-August, the sky was the limit as far as Noni Madueke was concerned.

Three goals in the space of 14 minutes, all assisted by his good friend Cole Palmer, saw Madueke record a first hat-trick as a Chelsea player. The boos that had been drowning out the air in the west Midlands all of a sudden became less and less as Madueke made a big statement.

A mixed 2023/24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino saw Madueke enter the summer period with uncertainty over his future. Newcastle United were keeping a close eye on any developments with the 22-year-old's future, although the Magpies were only keen on making a move if Miguel Almiron left St. James' Park over the summer transfer window.

READ MORE: Chelsea face potential selection crisis for Leicester City clash amid fresh injury concern

READ MORE: Chelsea Victor Osimhen transfer decision vindicated amid 'revealing' difference under Enzo Maresca

Madueke, who sets incredibly high standards for himself, once again worked with his personal football coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst over the summer to work on his overall game. "Just what I needed to become a top wide player," Madueke responded when asked about what he was working on during his sessions with Isaksson-Hurst.

"Movement, finishing, both feet, crossing - just everything, really. All of the tools I had but I knew I needed to develop. Pre-season is a great time for that."

And he has reaped the rewards of his hard work so far this season. There has undoubtedly been an improvement in Madueke's overall game. The Chelsea winger has established himself as an England international now - playing a key part in recent matches, including setting up Ollie Watkins' goal in the Three Lions' 3-0 win in Greece last week.

Against Ireland on Sunday evening, Madueke was once again excellent. He led the charts for chances created (four), accurate crosses (four) and touches in the opposition box (12).

However, in recent matches in Chelsea colours, Madueke has struggled to have such an impact. Hooked on 68 minutes in place of Mykhailo Mudryk against Arsenal last time out, Madueke was frustrated, as you could tell by the shrug of his shoulders as he left the pitch. He vented his anger even more by heading straight down the tunnel at Stamford Bridge.

Madueke may well have missed Pedro Neto's equalising goal, which came just moments after Enzo Maresca made a change in his attacking line-up. Mudryk went to the left wing, as he usually does, where he swapped sides with Neto, who Maresca wanted to trouble the Gunners by cutting in on his preferred left foot.

A bold change, but one that worked immediately. Maresca does see Neto as a right winger in the long-term for Chelsea but in the early stages of the Portugal international's time at Stamford Bridge, he has been used predominantly from the left-hand side instead.

That, in large, has been used to accommodate Madueke, whose preferred position is also the right wing. It is clear Maresca has a lot of trust in Madueke - and the winger's much-improved defensive work means he has earned the faith with the hard yards he has been putting in on a consistent basis.

Madueke, though, has not been able to produce the sort of numbers he was right at the start of the season. Since his last goal against Nottingham Forest on October 6, Madueke has not been directly involved in a goal for Chelsea. In that time, the winger has played five times in all competitions.

In the same period of games, Neto has found the back of the net on one occasion - last time out versus Arsenal - and produced two assists. Jadon Sancho is expected to be back fit once the international break is over and will be knocking on the door to start on the left wing once again. Meanwhile, Mudryk is arguably in the best form he has been in since moving to Chelsea.

If you were put on the spot right now, you would probably predict Madueke to start at Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. There is, however, growing competition for his spot in this ridiculously talented Chelsea squad.