The former Bayern Munich forward recently drew the curtain on a career that sealed his place among the game's greats, and a Netherlands-based Nigerian descent is tipped to follow those incredible footsteps
Two PSV Eindhoven heroes, three-time Eredivisie champion René van de Kerkhof and 1988 UEFA Champions League winner Gerald Vanenburg, have been bewitched by the stunning talents of England youth international of Nigerian descent Chukwunonso ‘Noni' Madueke.
After an impressive campaign in the Netherlands last season, Madueke has started the new season in excellent form.
The young winger powered PSV past Ajax to the Dutch Super Cup and inspired the Red-and-White to the fringes of the Champions League group stages with his exciting attacking play.
The 19-year-old's brilliant strike in the 2-0 defeat of Heracles Almelo last weekend was his fifth goal in six official games.
Even more striking is Madueke's penchant for driving in from the left wing before unleashing a shot at goal, which has reminded Van de Kerkhof, who played in the 1978 World Cup for the Netherlands, of Arjen Robben in his prime.
“Coming in and then lashing out with the left as he did against Midtjylland and Ajax,” van de Kerkhof told Voetbal International, “Madueke could become a worthy successor to Robben in that regard.”
Van de Kerkhof is not the only former PSV man enthralled by Madueke's raw talents, as Gerald Vanenburg is also a fan of the Tottenham academy product.
However, Vanenburg, who won eight Dutch league titles with Ajax and PSV, sees Madueke more in the mould of Paris Saint Germain wonderkid Kylian Mbappe.
“Madueke can really become very good; he is a very special player,” the two-time Dutch Golden Boot winner told VI.
“His qualities resemble Kylian Mbappe. Drive, speed, and scoring ability, those top clubs are all crazy about him.
“Madueke still has to take a step up. He can do that best here in the Netherlands at PSV.”
Madueke featured for 74 minutes but could not stop PSV from losing 2-1 to Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. The youngster will have the chance to help Roger Schmidt's men overturn that deficit when they host the Portuguese giants in the return leg of the Champions League playoffs next week.
