Noni Madueke's World Cup performance against Norway has cost him a place in Thomas Tuchel's starting lineup against Argentina, according to former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor. The Arsenal winger failed to impress during England's quarter-final match and was taken off for Bukayo Saka after 45 minutes.
Madueke's struggles against Norway
The Three Lions next play for a place in the World Cup final, with little room for error. Madueke has started four of England's World Cup matches, coming off the bench against Panama and not featuring against Mexico. The 24-year-old has generally alternated with Saka, who has been managing an Achilles issue. Agbonlahor does not believe Madueke has done enough to earn another chance from Tuchel.
"The hard thing about the last game for Madueke was he wasn't great at all," Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT. "He had two or three opportunities and when he took on a defender on the outside, his crosses were a bit wild on his weaker foot. And these sorts of games, these tough games – and how hard it was to break Norway down in that first half – you might only get three chances to take your full-back on. And that's what he's been judged on – dragged at half-time."
Rashford tipped as replacement
Agbonlahor would not opt to utilise Saka as Madueke's replacement. Instead, the former forward would choose Marcus Rashford, who remained on the bench against Norway. "I wouldn't mind seeing [Marcus] Rashford on that side," he said. "I just think sometimes, you look at the Argentinian full-backs – they're there for the taking. Rashford didn't get on last game. Why can't you play Rashford off that right-hand side, mix it up a bit? And then you bring him off maybe for Saka on 60 minutes, if Saka can't start games. But I think Madueke has played himself out of a starting spot."
Bent criticises Madueke's performance
Ex-England striker Darren Bent was also heavily critical of Madueke's display. "I hate being overly critical on players because I understand what it takes to get to that level in terms of playing for your country; it's hard," Bent said on talkSPORT. "But when you put in that level of performance that Noni did, where you're offside in positions where you should never be offside, you've got the perfect position to stand on the touchline and look along the line... he's getting that wrong. He's offside. First two [he's offside]. Then he goes past his full-back; he hits the ball out of play for a goal kick. Then all of a sudden he's scared to take his full-back on, he goes backwards. It just didn't work for him at all, Noni Madueke."
England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, with Tuchel likely to make changes after Madueke's disappointing outing.
