Frank Leboeuf Criticizes Noni Madueke’s Decision-Making in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup Defeat

Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment with Noni Madueke’s decision-making during the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Middlesbrough. The Championship club secured a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night, with Hayden Hackney scoring the decisive goal, giving them a first-leg advantage.

Leboeuf, however, singled out Madueke’s performance and slammed what he deemed as “absolutely appalling” decision-making. In an interview with ESPN, Leboeuf criticized Chelsea’s overall inability to execute crucial plays, emphasizing their struggles with crossing, one-twos, and maintaining pace in the game.

“They don’t know how to cross the ball; they don’t know how to play one-twos or with pace in the game; when they have some chances to go for it, they go back,” Leboeuf remarked.

He further dissected Madueke’s actions during the match, highlighting a specific instance where the player made a cross into the 16-yard box without any Chelsea player present. Leboeuf compared the move to an inexperienced player crossing the ball without understanding the game’s dynamics.

“The guy is a professional player. It means he crossed by instinct; he doesn’t know what he does; he does not inform himself of what he has to do. That is absolutely appalling,” Leboeuf concluded, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the level of play exhibited by Madueke and Chelsea during the match.