Marc Cucurella feels Noni Madueke leaving for Arsenal before Chelsea won the Club World Cup was a strange decision and a missed opportunity.
Madueke joining the Gunners in a £52m deal has been one of the more surprising moves of the summer so far.
The 23-year-old leaves Chelsea after three seasons at Stamford Bridge during which time he scored 20 goals in 92 appearances across all competitions.
Despite the move being in the offing, the winger was with the Chelsea squad in America for the Club World Cup and made five appearances in the tournament.
Madueke played in three group stage games, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals but then left the camp to complete his move to Arsenal before the Blues shocked PSG in the final.
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Cucurella feels it was a shame that the England international did not wait till after the tournament to make his move, and when asked if it was a strange decision, he reckoned so.
‘Yes, I think so. I think he missed a good opportunity (although) he wasn’t playing as a starter,’ Cucurella told Gerard Moreno on if Madueke’s choice was strange.
‘I do think it was because of everything that was happening regarding his future and in the end I think it could have delayed him a couple of days since he left a day early or something like that.
‘It wouldn’t have cost him anything to wait for that next day. In the end I think he missed a pretty good opportunity.’
After Madueke’s departure, Chelsea turned in a superb performance to beat PSG 3-0 in the final and become the first winners of the revamped Club World Cup.
Madueke did not seem fussed about missing out on the spectacular new trophy, excited to get started with his new teammates.
Having spent time in Tottenham’s youth set-up, he is back in north London and closer to his family by moving across the capital.
Speaking about his move to Arsenal, he said: ‘I’m somebody who goes with my gut feeling a lot of the time and I feel like it’s steered me in the right direction so far. So, I don’t think it’s going to be any different here. I think it’s going to be a great success and I’m really happy to be here.
‘I’ve just been relaxed, waiting for the green light and when I came in today, it all felt real. I’m really happy and really proud, so it’s a great moment for me. It’s great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house!
‘It’s already a great team with a clear identity and I can’t wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step.’
Madueke joins Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga as major signings at Arsenal so far this summer.
Viktor Gyokeres is expected to join that group in the near future, with a move for Crystal Palace and England star Eberechi Eze also in the works, but much less far down the line.
