Why Arsenal's Noni Madueke doesn't count as homegrown player but Chelsea's Joao Pedro does

Arsenal have signed England star Noni Madueke and Chelsea havebolstered their attacking ranks with Brazilian forward Joao Pedro. But it's the Blues' newest recruit that counts as homegrown, not the former.

Madueke, 23, can not be counted as homegrown due to the winger spending a chunk of his youth playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league, the Eredivisie.

A player's nationality and age have little to do with whether they're considered homegrown. To be categorised as such, a player must be registered and trained by the Football Association (FA) or the Football Association of Wales (FAW) for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21 – with Liverpool's new Dutch star Jeremie Frimpongaiding the Red's homegrown issues due to his past ties to Manchester City.

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This makes Joao Pedro, 23, homegrown as he was on the books at Watford between 18 and 21 after signing from Fluminense in 2020. Madueke began his youth career at Crystal Palace before later joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Yet his move to PSV in 2018 scuppered his homegrown status. He eventually moved to Chelsea in 2023, and despite having seven England caps, he cannot be considered homegrown across UEFA competitions.

The Premier League demands that at least eight out of a squad of 25 players must be homegrown. However, players not from these shores can be granted the status because they have played at an English or Welsh club before turning 21.

Madueke completed a £52million move from Chelsea last week. The Gunners have paid £48m up front and £4m in performance-related add-ons in a deal that should keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2030.

On his arrival at Arsenal, Madueke 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 spoken to Dec [Rice], Myles [Lewis-Skelly], Bukayo [Saka], even Jurrien [Timber] as well and they all say amazing things about the club and the culture here, how warm it is and how much of a family it is,” Madueke said. “I’m really happy to be a part of the Arsenal family now."

Madueke is Arsenal's fourth summer signing, following Kepa, also signed from Chelsea, Spanish international Martin Zubimendiand Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

Adding Brazil international Pedro is another big statement from the FIFA Club World Cup champions and he has already made a major impactfor the Blues. Arriving at Stamford Bridge on a seven-year contract, Chelsea prised Pedro away from Brighton in a deal worth up to £60m. The former Watford player scored 30 goals in 70 games for the Seagulls.

Pedro joins a host of new signings at Chelsea this summer. Other incomings include Liam Delap for £30m, Dário Essugo for £18.5m and Mamadou Sarr for £18m. Brazil youngster Estevao Willian has also joined from Palmeiras.

"Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history," Joao Pedro said upon joining Enzo Maresca's side. "They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win."

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