Alan Shearer isn’t sure Noni Madueke should start for England at the 2026 World Cup – even if Bukayo Saka is ruled out with injury.
The Three Lions are gearing up for their opening game of the tournament against Croatia next Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel dealing with several selection headaches.
While most of England’s starting XI seems to be locked in, there is still a question over whether Ezri Konsa or John Stones will start in defence, while Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers battle for the No.10 position.
Another issue Tuchel has is Saka. The Arsenal star looked a certainty to start on the right-wing, but an Achilles issue means it is unlikely he can play 90 minutes.
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There has been suggestion he should be benched, which would open the door for Gunners teammate Madueke, the only other natural right-winger in the squad, to start instead.
But many are unconvinced by the 24-year-old, who registered just four goal contributions in the Premier League last season, and notably missed an open goal during the final warm-up game against Costa Rica.
That miss was a low point in an otherwise decent game for Madueke, but Shearer believes Tuchel should consider playing someone else against Croatia.
Speaking on the Rest is Football, the former England captain said: ‘He’s got the option to play Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford on the right-hand side and the other one on the left-hand side, either side of Harry Kane.
‘Which would give you the pace and the press and also the ability to sit back and counterattack as well, rather than Madueke.
‘That’s perhaps an option I would look at if Saka isn’t fit to start the game.’
Gordon and Rashford are currently battling it out for the left-winger spot, with the former the favourite to start following his impressive performanceagainst Costa Rica.
But both are capable of playing across the forward line, though whether Tuchel will consider that remains to be seen.
Moreover, Saka’s fitness issues have only increased scrutiny on the England manager’s decision not to call-up Cole Palmer to the World Cup.
Who should start for England if Bukayo Saka is injured?
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Noni Madueke
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Anthony Gordon
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Marcus Rashford
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Other
The Chelsea star had an underwhelming season which was plagued by injury issues, but remains highly-rated and still managed to score 10 goals in 26 league games.
‘I don’t know where he [Tuchel] sees him, because he’s played more as a number 10 for Chelsea,’ England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard said on the Rest is Football.
‘Whether he thinks on the right he wants that dynamic thing where they go by players. Cole Palmer can go by players, obviously, because he’s got that, but it’s a different style, isn’t it?
‘I’m a big fan of Cole Palmer. And I think where the conditions here are, the game is going to slow down a bit, and it could be a bit turgid at times, and with the heat, and he’s a player that can open things up.’
‘Nothing fazes him, he’s got no fear.’
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