Noni Madueke has been swotting up on Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah’s scoring instincts as he bids to improve his strike-rate.
The Chelsea forward starred as England Under-21s crushed Serbia 9-1 in Nottingham on Thursday.
Madueke scored twice as the Young Lions ran riot, with Jaden Philogene and Harvey Elliott also bagging braces. And his hard work is paying off after studying Paris St Germain’s Mbappe and Liverpool striker Salah.
“I look at the best. James Ryder, our analyst, clipped up Mbappe and Salah, so I watch them a lot,” he said.
“The way they always follow their pass into the box, or when a team-mate is in the box, they’re always there to anticipate.
“One thing I’ve got to add to my game is the easier goals, the one-touch goals - that’s what I’m trying to improve.
“I know I go at such a pace so sometimes I’ve got to calm down at the last moment, take a breath and then slot it away. I’ve just got to keep working so I can do it when I get back to Chelsea.”
Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January, has endured a frustrating start this term, playing just 44 minutes in the Premier League this term having picked up a muscle injury last month. His only start came in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon, the 21-year-old scoring in a 2-1 win, but he believes a Stamford Bridge breakthrough is coming.
“I definitely back myself. It’s just a matter of time before things click; I’ve just got to get my head down and work hard, I’ve got the ability and talent to do well,” he said.
“It’s difficult, it’s not easy. But every player goes through it, so I’ll be all right. It was good to get a run out [for England]. I thank God for the goals and the performance, I’m chuffed.
“[Lee Carsley] and Ashley [Cole] give me freedom to play. I love coming over here and showing everyone what I can do. I’ve got a lot of belief in my ability and I’m sure things will click sooner rather than later.”
The Young Lions, the defending European champions, made it two wins from two in Group F and head to Slovakia to play Ukraine on Monday.
“That was a very dominant performance, one of the most dominant we’ve had at an Under-21 game,” added Madueke. “Everyone knew their jobs and the I thought the fact that we went a goal down and still ended up winning 9-1 is testament to our character, I’m really proud of the boys.”
