Chelsea star Cole Palmer appeared to approve of the hostile reception directed at his long-time friend and former teammate Noni Madueke, who was booed by Chelsea fans upon his substitution for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer seemingly endorsed the hostile reception directed at Arsenal’s Noni Madueke when the former Blues player returned to Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from The Standard, Madueke was subjected to a “chorus of boos” as he was substituted on for Arsenal, marking his first appearance at the stadium since his £48million switch across London in the summer.
Madueke, a former Tottenham academy star, had spent two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea after joining in January 2023 for less than £30m before moving to Arsenal for a deal “worth over £50m including add-ons.”
As his name was announced over the PA system during his substitution for Gabriel Martinelli, the loud jeers commenced.
The report states that Palmer, a “long-time friend” of Madueke whose friendship dates back to 2017 in the England youth ranks, “appeared to approve of the taunting of his long-time friend by turning to the crowd and nodding.”
Madueke also had to contend with former teammates, including Enzo Fernandez, who celebrated a late clearance in front of him.
However, after the final whistle, the article notes there was “little bad blood on show,” with Madueke seen being “embraced by Chelsea captain Reece James on the pitch before Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana approached him.”