MAURICIO POCHETTINO has told Chelsea star Noni Madueke and his young team-mates to buck their ideas up off the pitch.
A video of Madueke, 21, partying at a Mayfair nightclub emerged after the international break, when the winger had missed Chelsea’s game at Bournemouth due to a muscle injury.
Madueke was left out of the squad last week’s Carabao Cup win over Brighton, with Pochettino saying it was not due to an injury but his “choice”.
And the Argentine has now spoken with Madueke about the footage of him on a night out and warned that he and other young stars need to change their behaviour.
Pochettino said: “It is clear. This video, we were talking about that with him.
“It is a thing that we need to avoid. All the players need to know that when we are a player of Chelsea to try to avoid these things.
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“It wasn’t a big issue but we always need to avoid these types of situations.
“It is really clear that he needs to avoid it.
“But he is recovering from the national team and we will see if he is fit and can be involved and selected.
“But we talk about what you are asking me because it is a thing that the young players need to improve on.
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“Not only him. Many, many players need to be professional and to have respect because of the badge we have here.”
Unruly youngsters could prove a problem for Pochettino given Chelsea’s plan to only buy younger players under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
The average age of Chelsea’s senior squad is just above 23, meaning the former Spurs manager will want to get a grip of any unprofessional behaviour quickly.
Madueke, who arrived from PSV Eindhoven in January for £35million, has two goals in 15 appearances for Chelsea since joining.
Despite Madueke’s indiscipline, Pochettino has been impressed with his efforts to force his way back into the side following injury.
He added: “In my opinion he is working really hard to get the levels that we want after his injury.
“He came back from the international break maybe 10 or 12 days ago.
“Now he feels well and he is recovered. Now he is trying to get fit to be on the same level as the team.”
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Pochettino is considering recalling Madueke to the squad for Monday’s west London derby against Fulham.
Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, who suffered a knee injury following a flying start to the season, has returned to training and is expected to be on the bench at Craven Cottage.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
