"I want to play there"- Chelsea forward namedrops Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu as dream away stadium
Chelsea forward Noni Madueke has named Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu as his dream away stadium to play in.
The newly crowned U21 UEFA Euro 2023 champion said about the away stadium he would want to play in for the rest of his career, via Chelsea's website (h/t @AbsoluteChelsea on Twitter):
"Santiago Bernabeu. Iconic stadium, but I've never been. I want to play there, but against them for Chelsea!."
Madueke became a U21 UEFA Euros winner on Saturday (June 8) as England beat Spain 1-0 in the final. He featured in all seven games but didn't make a goal contribution.
Madueke joined the Blues in January from PSV Eindhoven for €35 million and has registered one goal in 12 appearances. He would want to improve those numbers next season under Mauricio Pochettino.
The 21-year-old can expect significantly less competition for minutes less season considering that Kai Havertz and Mason Mount have left the club. Christian Pulisic, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, is close to joining AC Milan, while an exit looks likely for Hakim Ziyech.
Madueke, meanwhile, will have to wait for at least another year if he wants to have a shot at playing at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid and the Blues won't meet in competitive fixtures next season after the latter's 12th-placed league finish.
The two teams met in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals last term (Los Blancos won 4-0 on aggregate). The former Tottenham Hotspur academy player, though, did not feature in either leg as he wasn't registered for the competition.
Chelsea icon Eden Hazard linked with surprise transfer after Real Madrid exit
Former Blues winger Eden Hazard has reportedly been linked with a move to MLS side Inter Miami this summer.
The Belgian mutually terminated his contract to leave Real Madrid this summer after an underwhelming four-year stay in Madrid. According to Relevo, he's now a target for Miami, who have signed Barcelona icons Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.
Jordi Alba, as per the Daily Mail, is also close to joining the David Beckham-owned outfit. Hazard, 32, recently said that he still has what it takes to play for a top team.
The Belgian superstar became a superstar at Chelsea, where he registered 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 games in seven seasons. He also won two Premier League titles, among other trophies, with the Blues before his €115 million move to Real Madrid.