Noni Madueke has criticized the Chelsea fans who turned on Raheem Sterling during his team’s recent FA Cup win over Leicester City.
The former Manchester City player has struggled to win over the Stamford Bridge supporters following his high-profile move from Chelsea’s Premier League rivals the summer before last.
Sterling started the current season in good form but, like many of his teammates, he has struggled for consistency and lost a regular starting place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
The 29-year-old’s decline has seen him lose his place in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up and he now appears certain to miss out on being selected for this summer’s European Championships.
Sterling’s troubled season reached its lowest point prior to the international break when he was booed by his own fans having missed a penalty in the victory which booked Chelsea a Wembley semi-final against City.
Madueke, who replaced Sterling in that game and went on to score the goal that put his team 3-2 ahead in injury time, insists the criticism of his teammate is completely undeserved.
‘It’s so important (to support him),’ the 22-year-old told MailSport. ‘I’m nobody to tell you not to have an opinion but I also have mine.
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‘That’s one of my teammates and the criticism is harsh and unfair. It’s our duty to voice our opinion and try to change the narrative a bit.
‘Raheem is an exceptional footballer and an even better person. It’s a bit upsetting when I see some of the criticism.
‘I’m sure he can handle it but we know how important he is for us. He’s definitely a big brother figure for a lot of us. There is a lot that people don’t see.
‘All I know is that he’s exceptional and super committed to the cause.’
Madueke, himself, has taken time to win over both his manager and Chelsea fans but has started to show glimpses of the potential that persuaded the Blues to sign him from PSV Eindhoven last January.
And, despite another turbulent season, Chelsea could yet end the campaign with silverware in the trophy cabinet and confirm a return to European competition.
‘I feel like negativity can only fuel you,’ Madueke added. ‘It gives you a tougher skin, it’s part of the game.
‘You’re not going to go through your career without having downs and negative times when people are saying you’re no good. The quicker you learn to deal with that, the better.
‘We’re in a semi-final of the FA Cup and, God willing, if we win that (trophy) then we’re in Europe. In the league there is still a lot of football to be played.
‘We’re winning more often than we’re not at the moment. We have to keep it going and see where we end up.’
