Noni Madueke explained how "a bit of a clinical edge" was lacking from the Three Lions as they won by only one goal against Andorra. England earned their third win in a row in the World Cup qualifiers, going one step closer to reaching the tournament in 2026. But they would have wanted to walk away from the fixture with a score suggestive of their dominance and opportunities on the day.
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‘Right and left is the same thing’
What mattered the most for Madueke is the three points as the team took one more step to their target. However, he was also happy with his showing personally as he tried to cement his stake in the squad.
“First and foremost, we have got the win, and I am the happiest about that. Performance wise, I am also happy: I created chances for my team, I tried to be positive whenever I received the ball.”
Despite the disappointment with the size of the win, the winger will be content with his work. In the first half, he broke behind the defensive line to drill a cutback into the box that Harry Kane could have converted, and close to half time, he set up Jude Bellingham for a header. The only goal of the game, from Kane, came from a cross off his foot, and he might have doubled the lead in injury time.
It was a productive performance where he proved how much of a wildcard he can be in the attack. Indeed, he had felt that he had the beating of the Andorran defenders in the majority of situations.
“Most of the time and I think that this is my game. That is what I go into every game trying to do. I try to beat the opposing fullback and try and create for my team and luckily it came off a lot of times.”
It is not the first that the 23-year-old has played in this position. As the Blues banked a spot in the Champions League for the first time in three years, winning four of their last five outings in the Premier League, Madueke moved over to the left flank in victories over Everton, Liverpool, and Man United. For him, the wing on which he features does not stop his approach on the field.
“Right and left is the same thing. I don't mind. I've played on the left for Chelsea in the last five, six games. Right, left it's all the same just have to try and beat your beat your full back and be positive.”
This trip was the first away day that Tuchel has overseen in his post. It took place at the RCDE Stadium, the ground of Espanyol, in a Catalonian location that was more than 120 miles from the typical stadium of Andorra "due to its modern facilities and organisational capacity." The pitch was drier than the players would have wished for, but Madueke made no excuse for this result.
“I wouldn't say so. We could have moved the ball quicker at times. We could have tried to inject a bit more pace into the game at times, but we still created chances, and I feel like the score line flatters them. We have dominated the game, but we probably just lacked a bit of a clinical edge at times.”
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‘I will be ready’
Tuchel talked about the fact that England "played with fire" in this performance, and there is no doubt they would have wanted to get more out of this match in terms of goals. However, they still earned a new record out of this victory. It is the first time in their history that a new managerial era has begun with the country that has involved three wins in a row without giving away a single goal.
“Definitely. We wanted to score more goals that's for sure. But we have now won three games out of three and we also have not conceded a goal yet, so I feel like there are definitely positives to take.”
The second and final clash for the Three Lions in this international break is a friendly against Senegal. It is an opportunity for the manager to make changes and try more ideas in the early days of his stint, but Madueke is making sure that he is ready to represent the nation again whatever he has in mind.
“We rest, recover and it's up to the manager to decide who his eleven is. I will be ready regardless.”
The winger will then go back to club duty in the United States of America before he can fully enjoy a break for the summer. Chelsea qualified for the Club World Cup thanks to their triumph in the final of the Champions League in 2021. To have to possibly play one more month of football after the season would typically have finished is taxing on the body, but he looks forward to what lies ahead.
“We are professionals. We rest, we recover, we're durable, we're able to go again. After this I will rest for a few days and go to America and try and play the tournament to do the best I can for Chelsea.”
On a final note, Madueke mentioned the qualities of a player he will be joining once the England camp is over. Liam Delap will miss the Under-21 European Championship with his country to take part in the Club World Cup as he has sealed a switch to Chelsea during the following campaign.
Delap went down with Ipswich Town, who were relegated from the top tier after their first season in the division for more than 20 years. Yet, his stock has significantly risen with 12 strikes last term. Among his most devastating displays was one in a 2-0 beating of the Blues at the end of 2024 in which he scored one, assisted Omari Hutchinson for the other, and bullied the back four all night.
“He is a very talented, young striker: strong, fast, with eye for goal. I am happy that he has signed for us, and I cannot wait to link up with him.”
