Noni Madueke Skips Chelsea’s Club World Cup Celebration to See Drake at Wireless

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke was notably absent as his teammates celebrated their Club World Cup victory in New Jersey, instead spotted enjoying Drake’s headline performance at the Wireless Festival in London on Sunday night.

Madueke, who played five matches in Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, returned to the UK ahead of a £52 million move to Arsenal. He is set to undergo a medical with the Gunners on Monday, with personal terms already agreed for a five-year contract.

Despite his absence from the final celebrations, Madueke will still receive a winner’s medal for his role in Chelsea’s tournament run.

Social media lit up when former U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at the trophy presentation, handing out medals to Chelsea players. Fans jokingly speculated online that Trump had “pocketed” Madueke’s medal, since the winger was not present to collect it in person.

Fellow Chelsea star Jadon Sancho was also seen in the crowd at Wireless, fueling further speculation about his own future at Stamford Bridge. The Wireless Festival’s Sunday lineup, featuring Drake and guests such as Popcaan, Rema, and Vybz Kartel, received mixed reviews from fans, many of whom felt it failed to live up to the previous days’ performances.

Madueke’s transfer to Arsenal marks another chapter in his career, after previously rising through the ranks at Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven before joining Chelsea in January 2023. With 20 goals and nine assists in 92 club appearances so far, he will look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options for the upcoming Premier League season.

The Gunners, meanwhile, continue their summer spending spree, with eyes now on further reinforcements—including Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.