“It’s an act of disrespect,” stated Rio Ferdinand, who believes a Chelsea player deserves a “two-week fine” due to recent behavior. Ferdinand emphasized that such actions undermine team values and discipline, and a penalty would reinforce accountability within the squad’s culture and standards.
"It’s an act of disrespect," stated Rio Ferdinand
“Expressing disappointment over a recent Chelsea incident, Rio Ferdinand strongly criticized winger Noni Madueke’s behavior after being subbed out in Sunday’s match against Arsenal. Following Gabriel Martinelli’s goal for Arsenal, Madueke was replaced by Mykhailo Mudryk, and reacted by heading straight down the Stamford Bridge tunnel, missing the moment when Pedro Neto scored Chelsea’s equalizer. Madueke returned to the bench but his initial reaction left Ferdinand unimpressed, suggesting a ‘two-week fine’ would teach the young player a lesson in discipline.
Ferdinand, on his show *Rio Ferdinand Presents*, contrasted Madueke’s actions with former teammates like Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, and Nani, insisting they’d never react in that way. “It’s disrespectful to teammates,” he argued, adding that a more senior player would typically step in to address such behavior.
Owen Hargreaves, Ferdinand’s fellow former player, echoed this sentiment, recalling how such actions wouldn’t have been tolerated under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Ferdinand also criticized Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, for defending Madueke, asserting he wouldn’t accept such conduct as a manager himself. Maresca, however, downplayed the issue, explaining that players’ frustration after being substituted is common and indicative of their desire to stay involved in the game.”
