Gideon Mensah: Defending against Saka or Madueke is a stage to enjoy, not a problem

Mensah ready for Saka or Madueke as Ghana face England in Group L showdown

Ahead of Ghana vs England in Group L, Auxerre’s Gideon Mensah welcomes the challenge of marking Saka or Madueke. He starred in Ghana’s 1-0 win over Panama by shutting down wide attacks.

‘I look forward to it’ says Gideon Mensah relishes Saka vs Madueke battle vs England...

Ghana’s left-back Gideon Mensah could face either Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, and the Auxerre defender says he’s up for the challenge.

For Mensah, Tuesday’s matchup isn’t something to stress over. It’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to playing on.

Ahead of Ghana’s Group L clash with England, the Black Stars’ starting left-back didn’t try to hide how much he’s looking forward to the matchup that’s almost certain to come.

With 90 minutes against pacey, direct wingers like Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke on the cards, the Ghanaian defender says going up against them is a dream come true.

“When he says ‘players like this,” he’s talking about Arsenal’s pair. Saka is still building back to full fitness after his Achilles problem, but trained with Thomas Tuchel’s squad on Sunday and Monday and is pushing to start.

Madueke earned the early penalty that Harry Kane buried on his second try against Croatia.

Whichever winger gets the nod, Ghana’s left-back will spend the afternoon up against one of England’s most dangerous attacking outlets.

“I see myself to be a player for big games and big players, so it's time for me to also shine. People are tipping them to be the favourites and whatnot. But then I'm trying to like, make sure that after the game the name, the news is going to change around it.”

Mensah played a key role in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto, helping to contain Panama’s threats out wide, particularly after the break.

“Yeah, I mean I dream to play against most of the best players in the game. And then coming against players like this is like a dream for me.”

That shutout has clearly raised the camp’s confidence, and the left-back said Ghana are heading to Foxboro with no fear.

“We feel very good. Very confident, obviously, because we've had already three points in our first game. So this is a game that it's like we're going with our free minds, free heads.

"I mean, this is not something new for us. Some of the boys, you know, some of the boys have been playing in England. I've played against couple of the players also in the England team. So, I mean, it's not something that is really pushing us to shake or anything. It's just something that motivates us to do more,” he added.

What still needs work, he admitted, is England’s threat from set-pieces; an area where Tuchel’s team were clinical in qualifying and remain dangerous with Kane, Jude Bellingham, John Stones and Ezri Konsa all attacking dead-ball deliveries.

“Yeah, I think it's not just England. Every game that we go into, we take every aspect of the game very serious. You know, set pieces, the gameplay, whatever. And then we see that they are very strong with that. They're very aggressive in the box, you know, when they're attacking and stuff like that. We are ready for it. We've been working towards it and I think we're gonna make sure that nothing happens.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. England and Ghana each have three points from their first games, and a win for either side would virtually book their spot in the Round of 32 with one group match left.