Noni Madueke continued his fine form for both club and country as he helped England's impressive Under-21 side to a third group stage win to complete an emphatic start to the tournament. The 21-year-old played an hour of the 2-0 win over Germany to cap off an impress three games for him.
Across matches against Czech Republic, Israel and Germany, Madueke started all three for Lee Carsley's side and made over 200 minutes. With a trio of 2-0 wins for the team, it is a representation of the quality on show and the confidence.
The young Three Lions sides have had a tough couple of international tournaments following on from Under-21 disaster before Carsley's appointment and Madueke's role when featuring against the best that his age group has to offer has been hugely promising.
Taken off in all three games with his team already winning, and being on the field for five of the six goals scored, his impact from the right wing has been felt. Even without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, Madueke was rewarded with man of the match recognition for his work.
Against Germany it was a mazy run in the 52nd minute that caught most attention from an otherwise flashy performance. With his 34 touches he completed 20 of his 22 attempted passes, made four key passes and completed four of his five dribbles.
Losing possession six times, he also won all but one of his duels and showed just why his direct approach from the wings is so valuable. It was him that benefited as much as anyone from the end of season run under Frank Lampard.
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Madueke featured in all of the last seven games having not played in either of Lampard's first two games and ended up starting five of those. With his first goal coming against Arsenal in the 3-1 loss at the Emirates Stadium, the youngster became one of the go-to options in attack.
He consistently got the nod over Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic in a front three on the right side of a 4-3-3 whilst also displacing Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz at points when the formation moved to a narrow approach.
Although his output remained sporadic, the point of difference method he plays with is something unlike what his teammates are able to contribute. Even with just the one goal coming, Madueke's drive in possession was a fresh site for Blues fans and poses as a question for Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine prefers to play with one inside attacker, think Christian Eriksen or at times Dele Alli and Eric Lamela, but the current squad is fitted towards natural width with Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Madueke. Ziyech's impending sale to Saudi Arabia for around £8million opens up even more chance for the Englishman but also leaves a tactical puzzle to be solved.
Whilst his form is promising and the desired methods and plans of Pochettino not yet known, Madueke will enter the summer as somewhat of a renegade and maverick figure. It's what he has so far had great success with throughout his junior career and the rise to prominence for the Under-21s is just evidence of why Chelsea were so willing to spend £35million on him in January.
