If you read between the lines, you’ll see that clearly.
Thomas Tuchel’s latest message is that England have “14 potential starters”. Blamey, if England can start with three extra players they could really win the World Cup.
No, what Tuchel does mean is that England have eight guaranteed starters, with six vying for three positions. Center half on the right side. Left wing. And No. 10 role. A total of 14 people can start.
Alongside Mark Gehi is John Stones vs. Ezri Konsa. Straight shootout between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon on the left.
And, perhaps most intriguingly, Jude Bellingham vs. Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role. It’s true that Tuchel sometimes says he’s 15 years old, but that’s diplomatic. And of course, there will be some coming and going.
However, the rest of the lineup to face Croatia in Dallas on June 17th will be Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Guehi and Nico O’Reilly. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson. Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane.
And indeed, it’s becoming clear, even to his dwindling number of detractors, that Bellingham has to start. Tuchel also admitted that Bellingham’s form is in a “sweet spot”.
Rodgers has had a good season at Aston Villa and was excellent for Tuchel in qualifying. But when it comes to the real thing, there can only be one winner. And it has to be Bellingham.
Bellingham were fantastic against New Zealand. And certainly New Zealand was the only one that looked more like practice than an actual match. Two different starting lineups each played 45 minutes.
And perhaps the tactic worked. Because by the time Rodgers started the first half and Bellingham started the second half, the Real Madrid superstar had something to prove. And hey, he did just that.
Jude Bellingham gave Tuchel a timely reminder during the win against New Zealand
Bellingham was very fit, sharp and glided down the pitch. Anyone who thinks England are better off without Bellingham must be watching a different game.
He is undoubtedly England’s best player, he looks exceptional, and with this kind of vibe and form he will be a sensation at the World Cup. He also wore the captain’s mark.
What’s more, that freshness comes from being out injured (he was with the team in March but only just coming back from a hamstring problem), being determined to return, and not running into the ground all season.
Tuchel doesn’t always have the right things to say when talking about Bellingham. That’s to say the least. But Tuchel shined this time, despite saying he was named captain because he won the most caps in the second half. Incredibly, Bellingham has 47 at just 22 years old.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon vie for the same spot
“He’s looking good, he’s looking good in training, he’s had some rest, he’s got a hunger to get back on the pitch, so I think he’s actually in the sweet spot at the moment,” Tuchel said.
“And it’s normal after an injury to be so happy to be back on the pitch and take it all in. That’s the situation he’s in at the moment.
“There are 14, 15 potential starters, and then there’s a special group, and then there’s the leadership group, and then there’s the players who are responsible for finishing games for us, giving the energy right, setting the standard, accepting that their role is difficult.
“And those roles can change at any time, but I have 15, 14 good starters in my head and Jude is one of them.”
Tuchel insists he does not know his starting XI for Wednesday’s next friendly against Costa Rica, let alone the game against Croatia. But he knows he can rely on Harry Kane to score, as he did against New Zealand. And that sense of rivalry creates healthy competition.
“I think the players want to impress me and want to play. That’s why we chose this group,” Tuchel said.
“So if I’m a player who’s not starting, I’ll make sure I perform well. That’s basically the spirit we want to have and the spirit we need throughout the tournament, which is different from club football.”
“We don’t want to bench a guy who’s not doing well and wishes I had a chance. I don’t think they feel like they’re playing against each other because we need positive energy. They’re willing to push, and even now in the locker room. I think they can put it into perspective.”
“They knew they hadn’t played each other since November, some of them came from vacation and it’s going to restart the engine.
“And the coach put together two teams that have never played each other. In the big picture, everything is fine and we can move forward now. We’ll be better when the stress comes.”
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