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'Utter disgrace' - Rio Ferdinand savages Arsenal fan base for criticism that 'vilified, bullied and embarrassed' Noni Madueke ahead of £52m transfer from Chelsea

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<p>Legendary Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand has come to the defence of Madueke ahead of his £52 million (€61m/$71m) move from Chelsea. Ferdinand labelled the behaviour by a section of the Arsenal fan base as an "utter disgrace" and stated that he has "never seen anything like this before" while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/why-arsenal-turned-noni-madueke-transfer-interest-rodrygo-nico-williams-anthony-gordon-notomadueke-trends-social-media-fuming-fans/blt3c3e0155d54364bb" target="_blank">speaking about the negative reaction</a> of some fans on social media.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Since making a switch from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Madueke has made 92 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals. His performances have somewhat left fans wanting for more. Despite not lighting up the Premier League on a consistent basis, the 23-year-old has earned a surprise move to rivals Arsenal, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-agree-noni-madueke-deal-gbp50m-chelsea-winger-former-spurs-academy-five-year-contract/blt02befe9f7d3e1d82" target="_blank">joining them on a five-year contract</a>. The move has attracted harsh criticism from a lot of Gooners, who have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/why-arsenal-turned-noni-madueke-transfer-interest-rodrygo-nico-williams-anthony-gordon-notomadueke-trends-social-media-fuming-fans/blt3c3e0155d54364bb" target="_blank">vilified the English international on social media</a>. In fact, the hashtag #NoToMadueke has been trending on micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter). A petition to prevent Madueke from arriving at the Emirates Stadium has also been filed by the same fans.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Taking to <a href="https://x.com/rioferdy5/status/1944057120480973270" target="_blank">X</a>, Ferdinand posted: "Noni Madueke. For a Young 23 year old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally strip down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million. Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55 million dream move to a club of his desire leaving a rival at that to be treated in this manner via section of the Arsenal fan base is an utter disgrace. Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be. I’ll say it again, at a time as a player as a human as a family you should be celebrating. I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now.</p><p>"It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me. I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again. Like I said earlier just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son…then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???</p><p>"By the way, This isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately. I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors.</p><p>"Whatever happens from here good luck Noni."</p>

WHAT RIO FERDINAND SAID

<p>According to <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1943983331302900137" target="_blank">Fabrizio Romano</a>, Madueke has returned to England after leaving the Chelsea camp for the Club World Cup in the United States. The medicals are scheduled and it is expected that Mikel Arteta's side will announce the arrival of the Barnet-born attacker shortly.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NONI MADUEKE?

'Utter disgrace' - Rio Ferdinand savages Arsenal fan base for criticism that 'vilified, bullied and embarrassed' Noni Madueke ahead of £52m transfer from Chelsea | Goal.com

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blasted a section of the Arsenal fan base which has severely criticised Noni Madueke on social media.

&apos;Utter disgrace&apos; - Rio Ferdinand savages Arsenal fan base for criticism that &apos;vilified, bullied and embarrassed&apos; Noni Madueke ahead of £52m transfer from Chelsea

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