Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers? Bukayo Saka or Noni Maduke? Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford? John Stones, Ezeri Konsa or Mark Guihy? Sky Sports ‘News’ Rob Dorsett Analyzes the major selection dilemmas facing Thomas Tuchel.
Don’t expect too many changes for England’s World Cup opener from the starting XI that won the final friendly against Costa Rica.
Thomas Tuchel was brilliant in praise of his quality and intensity in that match. Jordan Henderson said it was the best England performance he had seen on the eve of a major tournament and he was watching from the sidelines. Both these points are significant.
However, it has been very difficult for fans, media and players alike to predict throughout his tenure as England boss. And it’s clear that he still has some final decisions to make around some key positions in midfield, both on the wings and in the heart of defence.
The biggest area of controversy has been with his first-choice No.10 Jude Bellingham And Morgan Rogers Fight for the shirt.
On recent evidence – in two friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica and, I’m told, in training – Bellingham has outdone his close friend. Pointing out Real Madrid’s nod against Croatia
But Tuchel wouldn’t bet against him changing his mind, and going back to the man who has been England’s mainstay throughout qualifying, with Rodgers very clearly up front. He is the only England forward to have featured in eight qualifiers.
It was against Costa Rica in that friendly match You are Maduek Start on the right, with Bukayo Saka manage his minutes.
Since then, Saka has been adamant that he is fit and ready to play, but he has also said that he will not go against what the head coach has said, that he is not ready to play the full 90 minutes. But ready Saka thinks it is Tuchel’s decision whether he plays or not.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England star Bukayo Saka played Rob Dorsett a game of darts before his press conference… but who won?
Whether Maduke or Saka starts on Wednesday night will depend entirely on the latter’s fitness.
It is clear on the left Anthony Gordon made great strides in his war with Marcus Rashford.
But in and around the camp, all the talk is about how Rashford looks to be in the best physical shape, the most impressive form in training, and the most positive mindset anyone has seen in years.
Hard to bet against Rashford, who has been a Tuchel favorite since becoming head coach 18 months ago.
Perhaps the biggest area of contention is at centre-back, where it has been speculated for some time that Mark Guihy A nailed starter, with either John Stones or Izri Consa beside him
Now, things don’t look so sure after Tuchel partnered Konsa and Stones together against Costa Rica. Tuchel’s gut feeling of late may come down to whichever two of the three get the nod.
But it is increasingly understood that Stones will start, either alongside his Manchester City team-mate, or the Aston Villa boss.
Remember, Tuchel traditionally leaves his final team selection very late. He likes to sleep on what he’s thinking the night before the game, so that he has a clear mind to reassess on the actual day of the match.
What we can say with reasonable certainty is that most of England’s locations – perhaps seven of them – appear to be set in stone.
Jordan Pickford His third World Cup will start with a goal. Reese James First choice right-back, of course Nico O’Reilly He is likely to make his World Cup debut at left-back.
in the middle, Declan Rice And Elliott Anderson England’s engines would make room, perhaps Bellingham ahead of them, and of course, why harry At the point of attack.
For the remaining four? Tuchel can still make up his mind.
