Madueke lauds ´unbelievable´ Chalobah on Chelsea return

Noni Madueke labelled Trevoh Chalobah’s performance against Wolves as “unbelievable” following his return to Chelsea from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Chalobah was recalled from his time at Selhurst Park early to cover the long-term injury of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, who is out until Februray with a thigh problem.

The 25-year-old was thrust straight into Enzo Maresca’s line-up for the Blues’ 3-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Monday, and he impressed at Stamford Bridge.

No Chelsea player made more interceptions (three) or won more aerial duels (four) than Chalobah against Wolves, while he also created a team-high two chances.

Chalobah finished the game with the highest pass accuracy (96.3%) of the Blues players that started the match, while he also got the assist for Madueke’s goal to seal the win.

“Unbelievable. Leadership, character, bravery on the ball. He slotted in seamlessly, so I am delighted for him,” Madueke said on Chalobah’s display on Monday.

“It is no coincidence with players like him and Reece [James] back in, we won the game.

“They are Chelsea through and through, and they helped us tonight with their leadership for sure.”

For Madueke, meanwhile, his goal against Vitor Pereira’s side was his first since Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Southampton at the start of December.

Since his move to Stamford Bridge over two years ago, he has scored four times against Wolves, more than any other opponent he has faced in the Premier League.

All of these strikes have come this season, with only Diego Costa against Swansea City in 2014-15, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink against Tottenham in 2001-02 and Gianluca Vialli against Barnsley in 1997-98 (all five) have scored more goals against a side in a Premier League campaign for the Blues.

His latest goal against Wolves saw him head the ball past Jose Sa on the line after Chalobah had won the initial header from Cole Palmer’s free-kick from the left-hand side.

“It’s instinct. Attacker’s instinct. I knew it was going over the line. I said sorry to Trevoh after,” Madueke said.

“I had to put this in the net for sure. He was saying ‘no way you took my goal’ but I said ‘you have to understand, this is what they pay me for’.”