NONI MADUEKE has been offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to return to Wolverhampton for a ‘rethink’.
The slightly concerning invitation comes from Wolves icon Steve Bull who reckons the city is a cracking Midlands hub — bostin’, as the locals might say — with friendly inhabitants and wonderful culture.
Chelsea winger Madueke apologised on TV after branding the Black Country city ‘s**t’ on Instagram as he pondered life in a hotel hours before his team’s 6-2 thrashing of Wanderers.
It triggered a huge debate about what is on offer in Wolverhampton and whether Madueke has a point.
Bull played 561 times in Old Gold between 1986 and 1999 — and he said: “The Chelsea player was silly to say what he did about Wolverhampton. He maybe needs to have a rethink.
“If he knew the place and the people, then he wouldn’t have said a word about it. I’d say to anyone who read that remark, pay us a visit, then see what you think.
“I’d recommend anyone to go and see a show at The Grand Theatre, which is a magnificent place. Or maybe spend a day at Dunstall Park racecourse.”
If Madueke can get permission to leave Chelsea’s luxurious Surrey training ground early today, he might just make it to The Grand to catch Joe Pasquale’s one-night-only show: 40 Years of Cack, from 7pm.
The squeaky-voiced comedian is tackling funny questions like ‘why don’t chicken breasts have nipples?’.
Top three items on Tripadvisor’s list of attractions in Wolverhampton are The RAF Museum, Wild Zoological Park and something called David Austin Roses.
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Molineux Stadium also gets a mention.
Visiting fans should make sure to enjoy the warm welcome from locals in the subways just outside.
NONI MADUEKE bagged himself a second-half hat-trick courtesy of Cole Palmer as Chelsea fired to a 6-2 victory away at Wolves.
Palmer’s three assists and first half strike capped off a wonderful afternoon for the England ace and a game that at times resembled a basketball match.
Here’s how SunSports’ Katherine Walsh rated the Blues stars…
Robert Sanchez – 7/10
Solid display. Held firm and kept Wolves at bay in the first half.
Brilliant long ball distribution cross-pitch to Jackson who assisted Palmer’s goal and Chelsea’s second.
Malo Gusto – 5
Out of position for Matheus Cunha’s 26th minute equaliser and didn’t get forward enough.
Failed to have an influence on the game after a quieter second 45 minutes from Wolves.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Had his back to goal for Wolves’ second equaliser before half-time.
The ball had been guided in by a free-kick and Jorgen Strand-Larsen cleverly guided it home with his right foot.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not a particularly noticeable performance from the 21-year-old in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for Cunha’s goal.
Pulled Cucurella away from the third brawl of the match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Worked hard and found himself centre of multiple fights with Wolves players throughout the 90.
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Wolves lethal in the first half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Quiet afternoon for the midfielder. Didn’t do much right or wrong.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Often in the right place at the right time after clearing two Wolves’ attempts from inside the box.
Battled to win the ball for Madueke’s third goal and frequently recovered possession for the visitors.
Cole Palmer – 9
A brilliant goal and THREE assists finished off a sensational performance from the No10 position.
Somehow managed to outshine hat-trick scorer Madueke after providing all of his goals. His own notch came against the run of play just after receiving a yellow.
Picked up the ball 20 yards from goal after a long Sanchez kick and lobbed Wolves keeper Jose Sa just when the visitors were hanging on.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
Enzo Marseca said he needed time and coaching to get his Chelsea career on track. But failed to make an impact against Wolves.
Didn’t notice him being shipped off at half-time for former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Noni Madueke – 9
The star man scored THREE in the second half after bagging against Servette on Thursday.
Chelsea’s best player in the first half. The young winger has bundles of ability and energy.
Looked lively and won several free-kicks in promising positions.
Worth a note that he silenced the home fans who were heavily booing him throughout after his social media comments earlier today.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
Opened the scoring with a post header inside two minutes.
But let himself down with silly antics while arguing with Cunha twice.
Most non-penalty goals for Chelsea in the Premier League since the start of last season: 15.
And assisted Palmer’s brilliant goal and Chelsea’s second.
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Pedro Neto 7
Put a shift in after coming on at half-time on his first return to the Molineux.
Bagged himself an assist in the 80th minute.
Joao Felix – 7
Scored on his Chelsea 2023/24 debut after joining from Atletico Madrid for £42.6m.
Combined with other new signing Neto for the goal.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Renato Veiga – N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A
Even so, Tipton-born Bull, 59, reckons his adopted home town is misjudged.
It does enjoy a fine pop pedigree in its defence.
Rockers Slade hail from there, while Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant is a regular at Wolves games.
Bull added: “Beverley Knight comes from Wolverhampton as does Suzy Perry. One Direction’s Liam Payne grew up here — but he’s a West Brom fan!
“We’ve all got good and bad parts to where we live but it’s a great city, most of all, there’s a great football club.
“My connections go back 40 years and I love the place.
“The thing that kept me here are the people — they roll their sleeves up and aren’t afraid of doing a bit of work. They’re friendly folk.”
Bull, who scored 306 goals for the club, added: “We’ve all the attributes of a city, and there’s some great countryside a few miles away.”
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