Jude Bellingham Was ‘Unplayable’ vs Panama and His Teammate Isn’t Surprised at All

Noni Madueke has seen this before. So have you, probably. That’s kind of his point.

After England cruised past Panama 2-0 to lock up first place in Group L, Madueke didn’t mince words about what Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane mean to this team right now. Those two scored the goals that sent Thomas Tuchel’s side into a Round of 32 matchup against DR Congo. And according to Madueke, that’s exactly what everyone should expect.

“I think they’ve been the most decisive,” Madueke said. “Two very decisive players. Two players that take responsibility for us.”

He was especially animated about Bellingham’s performance in that group-stage finale. Madueke called him “unplayable” and said it’s bizarre that anyone would act surprised by it.

“I feel like he’s a world-class player. Every time I watch him, I see the same player near enough every single time,” Madueke said. “I think the last game, I don’t understand how that can come as a shock to anybody. That’s what he’s been doing for the last how many years. When I watch him perform like that, I just feel like it’s normal.”

That’s a pretty high bar for normal. But Bellingham has been clearing it for a while now.

Kane keeps doing Kane things

Madueke didn’t stop at Bellingham. He made sure to give Harry Kane his due too.

“Obviously you know what you’re going to get from Harry in terms of the goalscoring,” the 24-year-old said. “I’m really delighted that they’re playing their best football and we hope it continues for the knockout stages because we need them.”

Kane’s goal against Panama was clinical in that quiet, inevitable way of his. It wasn’t flashy. It was just the kind of finish that makes you forget there was ever a chance it wouldn’t go in.

Madueke and Saka: competition without the awkwardness

There’s an interesting subplot running underneath all this. Madueke and Bukayo Saka both play right wing for Arsenal and England. They’re direct competition at club and country. But somehow it hasn’t gotten weird.

Madueke explained their dynamic pretty bluntly.

“Obviously it’s well documented that we’re very close. Normally it should be a little bit strange, but it’s not,” he said. “I feel like it doesn’t really affect our relationship whatsoever.”

He said they genuinely want each other to succeed because it means Arsenal and England win more games. That’s rare in high-level sports where egos usually complicate things.

Madueke also broke down how their styles differ on the pitch.

“In terms of how we differ, I think I thrive in space and he thrives in congestion.”

That’s a useful distinction for any coach trying to figure out who to start against a specific opponent. One guy needs room to run. The other is happiest when defenders are swarming him.

England’s knockout round begins against DR Congo, and if Bellingham and Kane keep doing what they’ve been doing, Madueke’s point about being unshockable is only going to get stronger.