Noni Madueke sends Chelsea and England message as Gittens and Saka battles loom | OneFootball

Blues winger’s bright display against Andorra timely as competition for his place increases with both club and country

Thomas Tuchel could take few positives from England’s win over Andorra on Saturday evening.

Tuchel was angry and demanded improvement for Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal at the City Ground.

“We need to do better. We have time to look at it in detail and address it clearly and directly to be better on Tuesday.”

One positive for Tuchel was the performance of Noni Madueke, who was a bright spark during a dull match.

Assist: Madueke set up Harry Kane for below-par England’s only goal against lowly Andorra in Barcelona

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The Chelsea winger spent time on both flanks over the course of the 90 minutes and set up Harry Kane for the only goal.

Madueke was England’s most dangerous attacker, completing more dribbles than any other player and having the most touches in the opposition’s box.

The only blot on the 23-year-old’s copybook was the fact that he spurned a great chance late on to get on the scoresheet.

“I created chances for my team and tried to be positive when I had the ball,” Madueke told reporters after the game.

“Right and left [wing] are the same for me, so I don’t really mind. I’ve been playing on the left for Chelsea in the last five or six games of the season, so right and left are all the same.

Even if it was only Andorra, this was a timely performance from Madueke.

After missing the March internationals due to injury, it was his first appearance under Tuchel and he seized the chance to impress.

The attacking positions are arguably the most competitive in this England squad and, with only a year to go until the World Cup, opportunities to shine are limited.

Tuchel knows that more than anyone else and is determined to maximise every camp he has with his players. The German will have made a note of Madueke’s display against Andorra.

Madueke’s competition with both club and country is about to increase, however.

Bukayo Saka is yet to play for England under Tuchel and will almost certainly take up one of the wing positions in the team.

At Chelsea, meanwhile, Madueke looks as though he will have to fend off the challenge of Jamie Gittens, whom the Blues are trying to sign from Borussia Dortmund.

Competition is not a bad thing for Madueke and the past season has demonstrated how it can get the best out of him.

In a large Chelsea squad, he became a key component under Enzo Maresca and his club form earned him his England debut.

The task for Madueke now is to kick on and prove himself against better opposition

The task for Madueke now is to kick on and prove himself against better opposition. The 23-year-old will get that at Chelsea next season as the Blues are back in the Champions League.

Madueke will hope there are tougher assignments to come for England, too, and his showing against Andorra should ensure that is the case.

Tuchel singled out the winger after Saturday’s 1-0 win and praised him for being one of the few players that did not drop their standards.

“He was maybe over the course of the match the most dangerous [player],” said Tuchel.

“I could feel his hunger, his desire and determination to do what was the plan to do. He was one of the few who met expectations.”