Gary Neville has praised Noni Madueke, comparing him to Arjen Robben, saying the Arsenal winger is playing at a “different level”. Neville made this comparison after Madueke’s impressive performance for England against Serbia and his consistent form at Arsenal.
Madueke’s pace and ball control remind Neville of Robben, who was known for his explosive acceleration and ability to change direction quickly.
Madueke has been making a strong impact at Arsenal, with notable performances in the Premier League, including a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest where he tormented the opposition defense with his direct runs.
While Neville believes Madueke has shown flashes of brilliance, he needs to replicate this form consistently to reach his full potential. Madueke’s £35 million valuation reflects his promise, and his ability to win individual duels and create chances for his teammates has been impressive.
“Madueke is a lot better than I imagined and thought he would be. And certainly a lot better than Arsenal fans thought he would be.
“A couple of runs that he made for England on Tuesday night were a different level, they’re runs I thought, ‘ooh’.
They’re runs… Arjen Robben used to make those runs against me. I’m giving you players where they’re a sort of level where you think, ‘ooh, I’m up against it, this is a different type of player’. Neville told Skysports.
“I’m not saying Madueke is there yet, but his movement and the things that he’s doing are very, very good, and I’m talking from a full-back’s perspective playing against it” the former Manchester united legend added.
With Bukayo Saka’s potential absence, Madueke has been given opportunities to start, and he’s been taking them with both hands, showcasing his skills and earning praise from pundits like Neville.
Neville’s comparison highlights Madueke’s potential to become a top-class winger, drawing parallels with Robben’s illustrious career, marked by numerous titles and over 200 career goals. Will Madueke follow a similar trajectory?.
