When Noni Madueke was named in England’s starting line-up for their World Cup opener against Croatia, it was the latest moment in a dramatic season for the Arsenal winger. Just under 12 months earlier, Madueke had completed a move to the Gunners from Chelsea for about £50m – a transfer that prompted supporters to start a petition against the signing, using the hashtag #NoToMadueke across social media.
But the 24-year-old has turned that hostility into triumph. He went on to help Mikel Arteta’s side win their first Premier League title in 22 years, and now he is starting for Thomas Tuchel’s England on the right wing. In the 4-2 win over Croatia, Madueke was one of England’s standout players and won the penalty that Harry Kane scored to give the Three Lions the lead.
“Noni Madueke started England's World Cup opener months after fans petitioned against his Arsenal move.”
Madueke’s rise has come in part because of an injury to his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old, who had been expected to be England’s starting right winger, is dealing with an Achilles issue he has been carrying since March. That has created an unusual situation where the two are competing for game time at both club and country. Saka, who made his 50th England appearance in the victory over Croatia, described their relationship as “unique”, adding: “I don’t really know how it works, but it works.”
Tuchel has been full of praise for Madueke. When naming his World Cup squad, the German manager called the forward a “difference-maker”, highlighting his “one-on-one ability”. Tuchel has made clear he wants England to play with the physicality of the Premier League, and his gameplan is built around captain Kane, with wingers who run behind the defence to leave space for him to drop deep. That thinking paid off: Madueke’s four passes to Kane against Croatia were the joint most in the England team, matched only by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.