Why Thomas Tuchel must rest Harry Kane and use recent England camp to lock in World Cup squad
The Three Lions are set to face Serbia and Andorra in their final two…
England’s work is already done. The qualities of the next Summer’s World Cup have been threatened by the time to save, and for Thomas Tuchel, that is both comfort and test.
With two qualifiers still to come – against Serbia and Albania – there is no pressure on the results. The real question is what he does with this freedom.
This break in other countries is not about dismissal points or spoiling the starting XI. England’s big men – Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Rekan Rice, Bukayo Saka – have left nothing to prove to the right team they have blessed.
If Tuchel uses the last two games to renew the same visible line, he will lose valuable time that could be used to assess the depth of his team.
England’s road to a major tournament has never been smooth, but the final leap, actually winning one, will come down to what lies beneath the surface.
This camp gives him a good chance to find out.
Deep breeding for England’s Warriors Warriors
Tuchel’s defensive setup has changed since his arrival. Jordan Pickford usually sits behind the back four of Rece James, John Geehi, Marc Guehi and Tin Livramento, but injuries mean the former Chelsea boss has had to explore other options.
Ezri Konsa has been in good form for Aston Villa this season and looks like the most natural choice to come in.
He’s got possession, he’s athletic in recovery, and he’s smart enough to switch between the back four and the back three, qualities that suit Tuchel’s system well.
Next to him, Jarell Quanah is a real wild card. The 21-year-old has been quietly outstanding at Bayer Leverkusen, learning how to build play under pressure and defend in space.
At full-back, Tuchel knows what he has in Rece James, but Chelsea’s injury problems make it important to check others.
DJED SPECTE Can Offer Different: The green package, width and desire to attack, good if England always revert to the Wing-Back system, the same can be said for Nico O’reilly.
And while Jordan Pickford’s role is safe, there is no injury in the selection process behind him. Dean Henderson’s passing range makes him a perfect fit for Tuchel’s plan.
Life without rice and Bellingham
Secret Rice and Jude Bellingham form the heart of this English village, everything flows from them. But if Tuchel really wants to understand his team, this is the time to see what’s happening outside of them.
Jordan Henderson’s recall may be controversial, but it is very important to his perception of the young team. That means, his place in the Final World Cup squad is not guaranteed.
Adam Whaton is also quietly working without changing too much, Alex Scott, meanwhile, has shown at Bournemouth that he can control games and is ready to step up.
Both deserve real minutes alongside each other, maybe three with Elliot Anderson.
This medicine may not have the gravitas of rice and bellingham, but it is definitely that time. These games should reveal who can step up when the stars aren’t available, who can keep England’s rhythm going without compromising its identity.
Resting Kane and adding to the attack
Harry Kane has dominated England’s attack for years. He is the captain, the motivator, the Link Person, and his place in the World Cup trophy is guaranteed.
But with a closed slogan, there is no reason for them to risk it. Kane’s career at Bayern Munich is not over, and Tuchel would be wise to use this window to assess what it looks like without him.
Marcus Rashford offers one solution. His loan move to Barcelona seems to have blessed his confidence, and his player can bring different strengths: more speed at the back, and dependence on verticality, and less dependence on formation with Kane.
It could also test whether England can adapt to a quick, fast attacking style, something that could be more like a ball of expulsion.
Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are sure to do things for the World Cup, but Tuchel could have doubled things up by signing up for the West, while Ebechi Eze has shown creativity and flair that few have.
Eze, in particular, should be closely watched. His ability to ride on defenders and open tight spaces could make him a true bench game in the big leagues. Likewise, the versatility of Morgan Roger, who can play wide, as a FALSE ASK, or as a counterattack, can provide Tuchel with a Tactelical Airchcard Option.
