Patrick Vieira has called for England’s wingers to do much more in the knockout stages, with Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke needing to step up.
Given Saka’s injury struggles, Madueke has been the player starting on the right for the Three Lions, but he’s failed to make much of an impact.
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Thomas Tuchel’s side have struggled in the last two matches, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane having to really step up.
Now, the Arsenal legend has urged the wingers to do more, and it’s time for Madueke and Saka to prove why they are Premier League champions.
Patrick Vieira calls for England wingers to step up
Patrick Vieira has warned England’s wingers that they need to do much more for the team, and they cannot keep relying on Kane and Bellingham.
The former Arsenal captain was delighted to see Bukayo Saka back playing for England, as he completed 63 minutes against Panama, but now is the time for him and the others to make themselves count.
When asked about England’s wingers, Vieira told ITV Football: “Yeah, of course. I think when we’re talking about Saka, he came to the competition with an injury.
“So obviously he is not 100 per cent fit. But it was quite good for him to play more than one hour in the last game.
“But really, if England want to go far, they will need more players to turn up. I think England can’t rely only on two players.
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“They will need those wingers to perform better than what they did because obviously you’re going to go through the competition – the games will be more and more difficult. So wingers have to be more important during the game.”
Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke need to prove why they are champions with Arsenal
Saka and Noni Madueke now need to prove why they are Premier League champions with Arsenal and step up on the world stage.
The duo are now alternating between the right wing role for England so far, but neither player has yet to make a strong claim for the role.
But now is the time for the Arsenal duo to really step up and make themselves truly count as England prepare to take on DR Congo in the Round of 32 on Wednesday.
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