Noni Madueke has faced his fair share of criticism at this World Cup, but the data tells a different story.
According to FIFA, Madueke ranks third at the entire tournament for receptions in behind with 15, level with Vinicius Junior and behind only Sadio Mane (18) and Kylian Mbappe (16).
Considering the Arsenal winger was questioned even before the tournament began, that is quite the company.
And although he hasn’t quite been able to put it all together, his movement off the ball has been exceptional at times.
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He reads when to run, times his runs well, and consistently finds space in behind opposition defences, which is particularly beneficial with Harry Kane in the team.
The problem, though, is the end product.
Noni Madueke is doing everything right except for the end product
Madueke has started three of England’s four games so far. He was praised for his display against Croatia, and was arguably the team’s best player, but didn’t really stamp his authority on the game against Ghana, though that was a poor collective attacking performance.
He received some criticism online after the DR Congo game despite creating the most chances in the match (3) and completing the most dribbles (3).
One cross in particular was laid on a plate for Jude Bellingham, whose close-range header was kept out by the goalkeeper.
The movement is there. The creativity is sort of there. But the goals and assists are not. And at a World Cup, that is what ultimately defines a player’s tournament.
Paul Scholes recently argued that Marcus Rashford is England’s closest thing to Mbappe. Well, the data suggests Madueke has at least as strong a claim, purely in terms of the runs he makes and the space he finds in behind.
Mbappe built his reputation on exactly this kind of movement, running inside, getting in behind, and finishing his chances. Madueke is ticking the first two boxes but is still a way off with the third.
England face Mexico next in the last 16. Madueke may lose his spot to Bukayo Saka but if he can add the end product to the movement the data already confirms, he could still play an important role for England, and silence every critic in the process.
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