Arsenal star told he has 'played himself out' of England's World Cup semi-final team

England boss Thomas Tuchel is preparing for a World Cup semi-final (Picture: Getty)

Thomas Tuchel

has shown his ruthless streak throughout the

World Cup

and that is unlikely to change ahead of

England

’s semi-final against Argentina.

The Three Lions are two wins from World Cup glory after a cagey but ultimately joyous

quarter-final victory over Norway

Standing in England’s way of a long-awaited World Cup final are defending champions and long-time rivals Argentina, who

beat Switzerland in the previous round

Tuchel is unlikely to ring the changes for England’s huge clash in Atalanta but there are several positions up for debate, most notably in defence and on either wing.

Ezri Konsa

started against Norway at right-back but Tuchel could be tempted to bring on Djed Spence, who made a massive impact from the bench, or

Reece James

depending on the

Chelsea

star’s fitness.

Anthony Gordon

appears to have nailed down the left-wing position with two strong performances against Mexico and Norway but there are more question marks on the right.

Noni Madueke

started there last time out but was hooked at half-time after an underwhelming 45 minutes, with his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka showing far more following his introduction from the bench.

Noni Madueke during England’s win over Norway (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel will certainly consider playing Saka from the start against Argentina, providing he is fit to do so, and former England players Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor believe Madueke has ‘played himself out’ of the Three Lions’ World Cup team.

‘The hard thing about the last game for Noni Madueke was he wasn’t great at all,’ former Aston Villa captain Agbonlahor told

talkSPORT

‘He had two or three opportunities and when he took on a defender on the outside, his crosses were a bit wild on his weaker foot.

Bukayo Saka impressed from the bench (Picture: Getty)

‘And these sorts of games, these tough games – and how hard it was to break Norway down in that first half – you might only get three chances to take your full-back on.

‘And that’s what he’s been judged on – dragged at half-time.’

Agbonlahor has even suggested Marcus Rashford could move across from his favoured position on the right and replace left-winger Madueke.

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‘I wouldn’t mind seeing [Marcus] Rashford on that side,’ he added. ‘I just think sometimes, you look at the Argentinian full-backs – they’re there for the taking.

‘Rashford didn’t get on last game. Why can’t you play Rashford off that right-hand side, mix it up a bit?

‘And then you bring him off maybe for Saka on 60 minutes, if Saka can’t start games. But I think Madueke has played himself out of a starting spot.’

Argentina face England for a place in the final (Picture: Getty)

Bent would also be in favour of Tuchel ‘trying something different’ and playing Rashford on the right ahead of Madueke.

‘I don’t think Noni Madueke plays, but he might even gamble and try Rashford out there,’ Bent said. ‘He could play there and keep Anthony Gordon on the left.

‘Just to try something different. I hate being overly critical on players because I understand what it takes to get to that level in terms of playing for your country; it’s hard.

‘But when you put in that level of performance that Noni did, where you’re offside in positions where you should never be offside, you’ve got the perfect position to stand on the touchline and look along the line… he’s getting that wrong.

‘He was caught offside, then he goes past his full-back; he hits the ball out of play for a goal kick.

‘Then all of a sudden he’s scared to take his full-back on, he goes backwards. It just didn’t work for him at all, Noni Madueke.’

England or Argentina will face either

Spain or tournament favourites France

in Sunday’s World Cup final in New York.

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