Rio Ferdinand has torn in 'vulgar' Arsenal fans for their 'completely disgusting' protests against the arrival of Noni Madueke in the club.
The wing player of England is about to complete a switch to the Gunners after a £ 52 million deal has been agreed on Thursday, together with personal conditions and a five -year contract.
The 23-year-old had trained in New York on Thursday morning with his Chelsea teammates in New York prior to their club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday, but returned to England to complete his medical.
He will be signed the fourth signature of Arsenal of the summer, behind Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and the seventh Chelsea player under Mikel Arteta.
But Madueke's approaching movement is greeted with contempt by parts of the Arsenal fan base, with a brutal petition against his move that resulted in nearly 5,000 signatures.
Murals outside the emirates were destroyed with 'Arteta Out', while #notomadueke has won on X Grip.
Now Rio Ferdinand is hurried to the defense of the winger in a long social media post, where the legend of Manchester United and England claims that he has “never seen anything like that.”
He posted on X and wrote: 'For a young 23-year-old English football player to be taxed, bullied, ashamed and completely strip[ped] Down at a time when you would celebrate a transfer worth £ 55 million.
'Yes, a young child with a dream to protect a £ 55 million dream to a club of his wish that a rival leaves to be treated in this way through section of the Arsenal fan base is a complete shame.
'Just put yourself in his shoes for a minute, just put yourself in his parents' shoes for a minute and just think about what that feeling should be.
'I will say it again, at a time as a player as a person as a family you should celebrate. I only hope that the people closest to him are around him and support him in the way he needs now.
'It is great for fans not to agree with signing sessions or decisions made in their football club, but the way in which some fans have publicly expressed their opinion and those who have gone a step further by publicly coming to a petition for this player who is not signed by their football club is over.
'I've never seen anything like that and I hope I never have it anymore. As I said before, imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son … Then tell me how you would feel if they were on the receiving side of this vulgar behavior ???
'By the way, this is not aimed at all Arsenal fans, it is only a small part that unfortunately has become very loud.
'I only hope that the transfer will take place and Noni Madueke will ram all this negativity back in the throat of these cheaters. Whatever happens, good luck Noni. '
Ferdinand's comments come after Arsenal -legend Sol Campbell encouraged the club to explain their reasons behind signing Madueke.
“I think most people probably think:” Do we need him? ” He is a quality player, but I think the club should explain why they get certain players and how it fits in our system, “said the former defender.
Madueke was established last season for Chelsea, including playing the entire final of the conference, which they won against Real Betis.
He was also used at this club World Cup, but was a replacement instead of a starter in their semi-final victory over Fluminense in the midst of clear concerns of Enzo Maresca that his focus was not entirely on Chelsa.
While he will leave Stamford Bridge, the blues have an 18-year-old Wonderkid in Estevao Willian who is coming from Palmeiras this summer.
He played on the right wing against his future employers and scored a spectacular goal in a sign of his potential.
Madueke is left – foot and prefers to play on the right – a position taken by Bukayo Saka in Arsenal. But he is also able to play links and recently presented the blues there.
Maresca left Madueke from two games in 2024-25 for internal reasons, one of which came when he had performed badly in the training.
He will probably compete with people like Gabriel Martinelli for a starting point in the Arsenal team next season.