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<ul><li>Madueke swaps Chelsea for Arsenal</li><li>Cucurella asked about "strange" decision</li><li>Winger missed "good opportunity" at CWC</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Marc Cucurella questions Noni Madueke's 'strange' decision to leave Chelsea's Club World Cup squad early to complete £52m transfer to Arsenal

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<p>Before the winger signed for Arsenal in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-confirm-signing-noni-madueke-chelsea-52m-deal/blt49e895889cb1a26d" target="_blank">£52 million (€60m/$69.9m)</a> deal earlier this month, Madueke left Chelsea<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nobody-told-him-leave-enzo-maresca-noni-madueke-exit-chelsea-boss-confirms-52m-arsenal-transfer-imminent/bltc8584042118b8ee7#cs61ed082f4f2fdda1" target="_blank"> towards the tail end of their Club World Cup campaign</a> - which ended in them <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-psg-club-world-cup-cole-palmer-joao-pedro-robert-sanchez/blta288aecd9bc9c65b" target="_blank">winning the tournament</a>. Now, former Blues team-mate Cucurella has reacted to the 23-year-old's decision to join the Gunners.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Cucurella was asked by <em>Gerard Moreno</em> if Madueke's decision to leave Chelsea during the Club World Cup was "strange", to which he replied: "Yes, I think so. I think he missed a good opportunity (although) he wasn’t playing as a starter. I do think it was because of everything that was happening regarding his future, and in the end, I think it could have delayed him a couple of days since he left a day early or something like that. It wouldn’t have cost him anything to wait for that next day. In the end, I think he missed a pretty good opportunity."</p>

WHAT CUCURELLA SAID

<p>As Cucurella alludes to, Madueke was not always a regular for Chelsea at the Club World Cup, and the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-confirm--jamie-gittens-capture-borussia-dortmund-winger-spotted-on-pitch-club-world-cup-quarter-final-win-palmeiras/blt6268eb5b9b726da0" target="_blank">signing of Jamie Gittens</a> may have limited his minutes next season, too. The wideman, who signed a five-year deal until 2030, may not always be a starter at Arsenal either, but in the end, both teams appear happy with this piece of business.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While former PSV Eindhoven star Madueke can look forward to playing for Arsenal in the not-so-distant future, he is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-confirm-squad-pre-season-asia-tour/blt30ccaea793b6049f" target="_blank">not part of their pre-season tour to Asia</a>. The ex-Tottenham youngster is being given an extended time off after a long season.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Marc Cucurella questions Noni Madueke's 'strange' decision to leave Chelsea's Club World Cup squad early to complete £52m transfer to Arsenal | Goal.com

Marc Cucurella agrees that the timing of Noni Madueke&apos;s move from Chelsea to London rivals Arsenal was &quot;strange&quot;.

Marc Cucurella questions Noni Madueke&apos;s &apos;strange&apos; decision to leave Chelsea&apos;s Club World Cup squad early to complete £52m transfer to Arsenal

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