Arsenal star Noni Madueke looks set to have plenty of say as England bid to finally end their 60-year trophy drought with the Three Lions preparing to embark on their knockout campaign
Noni Madueke
Madueke and England are bidding to hit the bullseye in their World Cup hunt(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
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Noni Madueke admits he has a super competitive mindset even when it comes to basketball.
And the Arsenal winger insists that edge is what has carried him all the way to the World Cup and is the reason why he thinks England can go all the way this summer.
Incredibly, Madueke played in Atlanta over 12 months ago in his non-stop year for Chelsea against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup before his £52m move to Arsenal.
Now, after helping Arsenal win their first title in 22 years, he is brimming with confidence - even when it comes to throwing basketball hoops in the team hotel in Kansas City.
So, who is the best? “It’s every man for themselves, when we do those shooting competitions,” said Madueke. “And, um, I win all the time!
“You have to have that confidence, that excessive confidence in your ability because at the end of the day, alongside your teammates, and on that pitch it is down to you to deliver. So whatever gets you in that mind frame to be able to do that. I feel like that's good.
“I feel like it's important to get a balance of when you're around the boys on the pitch and then having a laugh and a joke.
“And when you need to be by yourself and just have that time for yourself, recovery or just stay in your room and chill in, speaking to friends and family.
“So I feel like it's important to have that balance, for sure. We play games for sure. We're very competitive naturally. So we're always playing games, whether that's basketball, or the other game we play, Wolf.
“So, yeah, we find time to enjoy time with each other,. But I’ve not been out in Kansas City at all. It’s too hot! Inside is like air conditioning and so we just stay inside, focus on the next session.”
Twelve months ago, Madueke played in Atlanta under the same roof and in the same stadium as England will face DR Congo in on Wednesday. And in light of the searing heat, the Arsenal flier doesn't think the roof will make much difference.
He said: “It makes no difference, to be honest with whether it's open and closed. It's great for us. I think it'll be about 19, 20 degrees, so perfect. Pitch is good.
Noni Madueke
Madueke speaking ahead of England's clash with DR Congo(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
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“Yeah, I don't think I don't think that's going to be a problem whatsoever. So, yeah, same approach.
“It's been a long season for sure, but I feel like all the seasons are very, very long. All the seasons of my career have been long, so it's nothing different this season, but yeah, no, it's been a great 12 months.
“Obviously, winning the league, winning the league, with Arsenal was great, and then being able to play for my country at World Cup is, I think, the pinnacle, so it's been great so far, and Iong may continue.”
England have struggled to break down teams with low blocks so far and Madueke admits they may face it again on Wednesday - but will be ready.
He added: “It's not easy to break down. I think we've seen other top nations struggle as well. Spain, Portugal in the last game. So, yeah, it's just part of football now.
“Of course, when England, when you play England naturally, you're gonna have a defensive approach because of the quality in our team.
“From our perspective, we have the same patterns and we'll love to try and implement them a little bit better than we did in the last game which probably will be similar to this one.”
Meanwhile, Madueke insists England will be ready for the drama of a World Cup penalty shoot-out. Thomas Tuchel has run regular practice sessions through the whole England squad as they prepare for the knock-out stages.
Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke
Madueke congratulates Jude Bellingham on his goal against Panama(Image: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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England face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday in their first game of the knock-out phase with shoot-outs looming large.
Three Lions boss Tuchel has warned the players they may face two shoot-outs if they want to go all the way to the final in New Jersey on July 19.
But Madueke, who suffered the heartbreak of a shoot-out defeat with Arsenal in the Champions League final, says they will be very well prepared.
England have been preparing through training, had a shoot-out at the end of a behind-closed-doors friendly and have compiled a dossier on their likely takers.
Madueke said: “Yeah, like, all phases of play were taken extremely seriously. Like you said, as you go into knockout football, something that becomes more prominent in the games.
“So, like every part of our game we want to be at the highest level when it comes to that. I’d volunteer, for sure. I am always open to take a penalty. At the end of the day, it comes down to the coach’s decision.
“But if that’s what he wants and what he thinks is best for the team, but from my side, I'm always ready.”
Madueke insists that he has taken the winning feeling of Arsenal’s title success into the World Cup and is now ready for the biggest stage as the pressure steps up.
The Arsenal winger added: “I'm grateful for the opportunity and yeah, like I said, knockout football is where it's at, so I'm trying to be at my best.
“I feel like that winning feeling lingers. It's great to take that into a tournament. It’s obviously, as big and as prominent as the World Cup and it definitely feeds your confidence, sure.”
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