England winners and losers: Good news for Ben White and Dominic Solanke in a bad week for Ivan Toney | OneFootball

Noni Madueke boosts World Cup chances but Kyle Walker suffers setback

Over the past week, Thomas Tuchel and England have put in two performances that produced more questions than answers.

After squirming past 173rd-ranked Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, England were stunned 3-1 by Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday to confirm things are not quite ticking as they ought to be under Tuchel, who yet to stamp an identity on his team.

Here, Standard Sport assesses the winners and losers from England’s June camp…

Winners

Noni Madueke

The performance of the Chelsea winger was about the only positive to come out of the drab win over Andorra.

Madueke was the standout England performer against Andorra

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Madueke took on his man and took risks as he started on the left flank, hanging wide and crossing for the game’s decisive moment to register an assist for Harry Kane’s winner.

There is no guarantee that Madueke will be a part of England’s squad next summer, with his position as stacked for competition as anywhere on the pitch and with Chelsea still considering whether to sign Jamie Gittens to strengthen their own wide options.

But Madueke did all he could do, almost scoring his first international goal with the last action of the Andorra game, prompting his manager to single him out for praise afterwards.

Ben White

The Arsenal defender was not in the England squad this month, but his stock rose.

Curtis Jones started at right-back in the win over Andorra, while Kyle Walker got the nod for the defeat to Senegal.

Neither player seized the chance, with Walker struggling against Senegal as England shipped three goals.

White is likely to be pushing for a recall for the September internationals

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Ben White has not played for England since leaving the squad during the middle of the 2022 World Cup.

He would have been in contention to be involved in this camp, but his wife is due to give birth to their first child this month.

England have an abundance of talent at right-back, however no one has stepped forward under Tuchel. Indeed, Trent Alexander-Arnold played just 26 minutes during this international break.

The door is open for White, whose chances are boosted by the fact he can easily slot into a back three if Tuchel wants his defence to build the play in such a way.

Dominic Solanke

The Tottenham forward was left out of the squad by Tuchel, who said he has a "clear picture" of what he can bring to his team and wanted to see Ivan Toney could offer.

After having a look at Toney, Tuchel only used the Al-Ahli striker for the final two minutes against Senegal.

It felt like a blow to Toney’s World Cup chances and Solanke will be pushing to be back in the squad for the next set for internationals in September.

Losers

Kyle Walker

Now 35 and very much in the autumn of his international career, the end ought to come much sooner than it might on the evidence of his performance at the City Ground.

Walker was continually caught out of position by a Senegal side who clocked him as a weak link early doors and then ran at him down their left channel at will.

It is hard to see how a player so far past his best will be playing at the requisite level to justify selection for the World Cup in another year’s time.

Ivan Toney

The striker earned a shock recall for this camp after scoring 28 goals in 42 appearances for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli last season.

Tuchel revealed in March how he planned to travel to Saudi Arabia but, after failing to do so, elected to bring Toney into the squad to see him in action.

Toney only came on for the final two minutes against Andorra

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But he was an unused substitute against Andorra and then came on for the final two minutes of the loss to Senegal.

Harry Kane started the win over Andorra and he was the only player to keep his place for the clash with Senegal.

To make matters worse for Toney, when Kane did come off on Tuesday night with just over 30 minutes to go, Morgan Rogers was brought on ahead of him.

Toney only came on in the dying moments, replacing left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, which does not bode well for the future.

Thomas Tuchel

The manager himself endured a tough time of it, as his side played lethargically and offered little by way of assurance that they will be up for the fight come next summer.

Tuchel spoke of wanting his team to “suffocate” Andorra and make them “suffer”. Instead, Andorra made England look very ordinary.

Against Senegal, a performance of “more balance” and “more freedom” was promised but again not delivered. The visitors deserved their win, raining shots on Dean Henderson’s goal all night.

England do not play again now until September, giving Tuchel ample time to reflect on two matches which suggested they are not yet ready for the World Cup but rather, have gone backwards.