England player ratings: Noni Madueke and Curtis Jones best of a bad bunch with Reece James totally looking lost on left

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    NONI MADUEKE was determined to get England over the line during their laboured 1-0 win against Andorra in the World Cup qualifiers.

    Harry Kane notched his 72nd goal for his country and Thomas Tuchel went rogue by starting Curtis Jones in right-back to make room for 34-year-old Jordan Henderson in the middle.

    Getty
    England star Jude Bellingham laboured to a 1-0 draw against Andorra[/caption]

    An uneventful first half saw the Three Lions BOOED off in the near empty RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.

    Kane, who poked wide in the first 30 minutes, finally found a breakthrough when he smashed in Chelsea winger Noni Madueke‘s quick low cross five minutes after the break.

    But there’s reasons for concerns and holiday-mode England struggled to break down the home side’s bus-parking tactics – weeks after Albania put three goals away against Andorra.

    Here SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rates and slates the England players from sunny Spain.

    Jordan Pickford – 5

    As expected, a bystander in goal and Tuchel should have given James Trafford a debut.

    Ezri Konsa – 5

    Aston Villa star looks to be England's first-choice central defender and he will not get an easier game than this.

    Dan Burn – 4

     It is now obvious that Tuchel loves the Newcastle defender and he has got a very good chance of going to the World Cup although some of his passing was dreadful. 

    The likes of Harry Maguire and Eric Dier must be peed off. 

    Reece James – 4

    Just 24 hours after James said his best position was right-back, Thomas Tuchel played him at left-back.

    He did not look that comfortable. He also produced a terrible delivery at a free-kick near the end.

    Curtis Jones – 6

    Played as an inverted right-back so had plenty of licence to get forward. Played a part in the opening goal with a clever pass to Kane.

    Jude Bellingham – 5

    Had the first shot of the game after 56 seconds but did not cause too many problems in his offensive midfield role. 

    Jordan Henderson – 5

    Cap no 84 for the Ajax midfielder although this was his first start since November 2023.

    You can see why Tuchel wants a player of his experience but he did not have much influence here

    Morgan Rogers – 5

    Delivered some silky skills which caused Andorra a few problems but lacked an end product.

    Cole Palmer – 6

    Has been on fire in training during the week in Girona but did not really get involved although saw plenty of the ball.

    Noni Madueke – 7

    England's best player although should have scored in injury-time.

    Was particularly bright in the first half and played a part in the opening goal.

    Harry Kane – 6

    Missed a couple of chances but finally got his goal shortly into the second. It was his 450th career goal.

    SUBS

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Henderson,64) -5

    Eberechi Eze (for Palmer,65)- 5

    Declan Rice (for Jones, 80)- 5

    Anthony Gordon(for Rogers, 80) – 5

    Morgan Gibbs-White (for Bellingham, 90+1) – 5

    Subs not used: D Henderson, Trafford, Walker, Colwill, Toney, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah.

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