Bukayo Saka’s place in England’s starting XI is one of the few things that feels completely certain ahead of the World Cup.
The Arsenal star has been one of England’s most important players for years and remains among the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s teamsheet whenever he is fit.
That did not stop questions being asked after England’s comfortable 3-0 win over Costa Rica, though.
Noni Madueke was handed a chance to impress from the start, and Ian Wright believes one moment may have cost him any realistic hope of replacing Saka.
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Ian Wright says Noni Madueke could’ve stolen Bukayo Saka’s England starting spot
England’s victory over Costa Rica gave several players an opportunity to stake their claim for a place in Tuchel’s strongest World Cup XI.
Madueke was one of them.
The former Chelsea winger started ahead of Bukayo Saka, whose minutes are being carefully managed following another demanding campaign for Arsenal.
For much of the game, Madueke looked bright and dangerous, but he also produced one of the misses of the night.
The winger found himself clean through on goal, rounded the goalkeeper and looked certain to score. Instead, with the net at his mercy, he somehow struck the post.
After the game, the debate turned to whether Madueke had done enough to challenge Saka for a starting spot when the World Cup gets underway.
Roy Keane was critical of aspects of Saka’s game but still stopped short of backing Madueke to replace him. Wright took a similar view.
The Arsenal legend does not believe Madueke is about to overtake Saka in the pecking order, but he admitted things could have looked very different had that chance ended up in the back of the net.
He said on ITV: “I think Madueke, if he had scored in the first half with some of the movement he showed, that might have swung it for him.”
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Nobody is displacing Bukayo Saka in the England team
The reality is that Saka has earned far too much credit in an England shirt to be dropped.
The Arsenal number seven has delivered in major tournaments, produced goals and assists on the biggest stage, and consistently been one of England’s most reliable performers.
Madueke is a talented player and deserves credit for the progress he has made over the last year, but there is still a significant gap between him and Saka.
That is not meant as criticism either. Very few wingers in world football are operating at Saka’s level right now.
If Madueke had scored that chance, perhaps there would be a genuine conversation to have. As things stand, however, Saka remains England’s undisputed first-choice right winger.
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