Pochettino tells Madueke what he needs to do in order to get into Chelsea starting XI

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has sent a message to Noni Madueke amidst his struggles for game time since the start of the season.

The Super Eagles-eligible winger has been unable to impress the Argentine tactician and that is evident in the number of games he has played this term.

He has started just two games across all competitions for Chelsea, thereby ranking among the players with the fewest minutes played so far.

Having finally overcome his recent injury,  the England youth international was declared fit for the Blues' Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle on Tuesday but would miss the encounter having not made the matchday squad.

Speaking during his pre-match conference earlier today as his side prepare to face Wolves on Sunday, Pochettino has challenged the Anglo-Nigerian forward to fight for his position in the team.

In quotes relayed by Football. London, the 51-year-old said: "From the beginning of the season he was involved then not involved and he was injured and suffered some problems.

"Noni is in a position where there is massive competition and he needs to compete and to increase his level. He was injured and now recovered and maybe will be involved in the next games."

Madueke has to challenge in-form Cole Palmer for the right side of the attack, a task which looks herculean at the moment due to the form of the latter.

With Chelsea reluctant to let him leave on loan or permanent basis next month, it is an indication that the club believes that he can still repay the fate shown in him when he was acquired from PSV.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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