Chelsea were right to dump £52M star for Estevao — Former Blue Joe Cole

Joe Cole has endorsed Chelsea's decision to sell Noni Madueke, stating that the sensational form of Brazilian wonderkid Estevao has fully justified the move.

The sale of Madueke was part of another significant squad overhaul at Stamford Bridge last summer, a continuation of the high-spending strategy under Todd Boehly's ownership since 2022.

The club invested approximately £285 million in new talent to bolster their attack for the 2025/26 season, bringing in players like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, and Liam Delap.

Among the new arrivals was Estevao, who joined the Blues a year after Chelsea secured his signature from Palmeiras in a £29 million deal. The 18-year-old has since lived up to his global reputation, making an immediate impact in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

While Madueke has settled in well at his new club, Arsenal, Cole believes Chelsea made the correct call by parting ways with the England international to make room for the extraordinary talent they had acquired.

“That transfer always made sense to me,” Cole told Paddy Power, explaining why he felt Chelsea were "correct" to sell Madueke. “You want to get the best young players in your club. The debate with Chelsea has always been what is the right amount for those transfers to get done.”

“Bringing Estevao in was a no-brainer. Against Barcelona, he was brilliant from the off and really lifts the team up,” Cole added.

“I’ve always said he’s going to gradually get more important, and by the end of the season, he’d be regularly starting the big games. It seems that’s now happening before Christmas.”

“He’s a fantastic player, and the fans have got a new darling. It’s exciting times for Chelsea.”