Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has fired a message to Noni Madueke (Picture: Getty)
Mauricio Pochettino says it took Chelsea star Noni Madueke ‘six months’ to learn what the Argentine head coach expects from him this season.
The Blues signed Madueke less than a year ago from PSV, paying around £30m for the 21-year-old and handing him a seven-and-a-half year contract.
Madueke, who can operate as a winger or attacking midfielder, has produced just four goals and has not registered a single assist in 23 games for the Blues.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round clash against Preston on Saturday, Pochettino, who arrived as head coach this summer, said: ‘I am so happy, it took him nearly six months to realise what we expect from him.
‘Players need to improve and he is improving a lot. His behaviour now and how he has committed to himself first, and with the rest of the ideas from the club.
‘He has potential and talent in the way that he needs to do the things and behave in the future if he wants to succeed.
‘That is the platform for everyone and then it is about being right in your mind and be consistent in the way we propose they behave.’
Noni Madueke joined Chelsea less than a year ago from Dutch side PSV (Picture: Getty)
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Meanwhile, Pochettino has refused to guarantee Conor Gallagher will still be a Chelsea player once the January transfer window closes.
In other Chelsea transfer news, Sevilla are reportedly trying to sign David Datro Fofana who is currently enduring a nightmare loan spell at Union Berlin.
Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah could still leave in January too despite Bayern Munich withdrawing their interest, according to reports.
MORE : Mauricio Pochettino drops hint over Chelsea’s team for FA Cup clash against Preston