A Serbia Win could have big implications for England as Thomas Tuchel gets a plan b
Much of the talk before the England v Serbia match focused on the number 10 role with Thomas Tuchel suggesting it was a straight battle between Morgan Roger, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
After dismissing the idea that all three could play in the same XI, Tuchel then raised more eyebrows by starting Rogers and leaving Bellingham and Foden on the bench.
Roger shone again for 65 minutes but the real eye-opening moments of what was effectively a 2-0 win through Bellingham, Foden and Ebechi were introduced.
Subs are as impressive as winland win
Real Madrid Star Bellingham was a direct replacement for childhood friend Roger, Foden replaced Harry Kane as FALSE
The Three Lions settled down and, with Serbia pressing forward in search of goals to keep their World Cup camera hopeful, gave them space on the break.
Bellingham and Foden sang Eze’s good goal for EZE FATION FLOOT EVERYONE seemed to be deceiving in making a point at Tuchel, with a tendency to find where Serbia had it.
Much has been written about the lack of ENGANASI and KANDELA at the very end – the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney who have had chances but are not entirely confident – but Tuchel may have stumbled upon the perfect answer.
It’s the role he played before for Manchester City and his link-up with EZE that also provided a lot of food for thought.
“He was very good. You could see he was full of confidence. He showed it,” said Tuchel of Foden.
“I like to have him in the center of communication with the other players. He did well. It’s a big challenge to ask Harry [Kane] at the moment. He is in the shape of his life. But if you are compatible and share some minutes, then you are an option.
“You can tell he’s full of confidence. You can see it in the first minutes when you meet him. You feel that he’s bright and comfortable.”
Starting with Bellingham wouldn’t be a bad thing – tuchel
Tuchel explained Roger’s previous performances and his knowledge of the media meant that he was offered to Bellingham, although the smart money remains on the former X man.
“They are competing at the moment for the same position and they are friends,” said Tuchel. “They respect each other and they love each other. Morgan is worth staying in the hole because he had a lot of fun playing and second to all that we didn’t know was coming, if our plan is right next time.
“It would be unfair for Jude to try to get everything because we changed our way of pressing in the last two camps. CELAN [Rice]Morgan [Rogers] and Harry [Kane] it has happened in three – four games together.
“I thought they could adapt with a little bit of time. Once we see the formation we can give clear instructions to Phil and Jude and bring it to the bench.”
The classy bench players lit up Wembley
He added: “We’ve had a good impact from the bench from afar. We’ve brought in top players and they want to show what they can do.
“It’s not about building an eleven. It’s about building a team and they buy into it. Put egos behind it because it’s the right thing to do for the team.”
Whether by luck or design, tuchel now has options in Final Search. The number 10 role is tied, EZE provides real competition for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon down the left flank and pulls out all the stops to find a place in the team.
It may have been a low-key win but it could have big implications for England as they head towards the World Cup.
