Elliot Anderson over Declan Rice? My England XI to start the World Cup
Though this is the last opportunity for England to experiment before the World Cup, the focus against Uruguay and Japan should be fine-tuning, not radical revision. It is about balance and connection now, hitting a familiar rhythm with a team capable of caprice as well as control.
England’s experience under Gareth Southgate exposed the limits of caution and containment at the big show. The choice to absorb rather than apply pressure at the Euro 2024 final in Germany not only handed the initiative to a Spanish team built to attack, it stifled the front-foot instincts of an England ensemble equally endowed with offensive power.
The message was rammed home at Wembley on Sunday. Carpe diem. Instead of investing in themselves, Premier League leaders Arsenal played with fear and inhibition against their title rivals, thus gifting momentum and ultimately the Carabao Cup to Manchester City.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has some big decisions to make (Photo: Getty)
We saw the benefits of adventure and belief in the Champions League last 16, where Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain rampaged past English opposition. Real Madrid were not shy either in doing what Arsenal did not, putting it on City from the first bell.
England have two more friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica in the first week of June before the World Cup opener against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel could arguably pick two XIs capable of reaching the knockout stages, such is the depth of the squad, but to win it, he must fashion a team capable of carving open the best, and that will need finessing.
Assuming a full strength squad free of injuries, which almost never happens, here is my team memo to Tuchel.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford is the obvious and safe choice for his solidity and big-match experience. If it ain’t broke, etc.
Defence
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is a smooth operator on the pitch (Photo: Getty)
Lewis Hall could be Tuchel’s lucky charm, ending the reliance on right-footed players on the left side. Hall is quick and sure-footed, and keeps the pitch wide with his ability to hug the touchline and get to the byline.
At right-back, Tino Livramento is struggling for form, which gives Djed Spence an opportunity to claim the starting spot. Spence is aggressive, quick and keeps the game simple, despite the car crash that is playing for Tottenham Hotspur.
The centre-back pairing starts with Marc Guehi, solid, reliable and quick. John Stones would be the first choice beside him but is hampered by lack of playing time at City. That brings in one of Harry Maguire, Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa. Maguire has the experience, Burn height and physicality, Konsa is Burn with superior mobility.
The ability to step out of defence into midfield is one of the key differentiators in the modern game, which makes Stones so valuable. Maguire has that ability too, but can be ponderous. Konsa is a solid all-rounder and might be the compromise selection.
Midfield
Teammate Morgan Rogers also gets the nod after his recent form (Photo: Getty)
Tricky area for Tuchel, this. Too much talent for too little room. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton reprises past overloads involving Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes, and before that Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins and Glenn Hoddle. You cannot pick them all.
I would avoid the double pivot, play Rice as a six, Bellingham an eight and Rogers at 10. Alternatively, Anderson at six, Rice at eight and Bellingham at 10. Or what about the nuclear option, Anderson over Rice at six with Bellingham and Rogers?
Wharton does not have the experience of his rivals but could be a game-changer at six with his eye for the forward pass, exceptional positional radar and his ability to link through the thirds. Unlikely early in the World Cup but should injuries strike, so might Wharton.
Forwards
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer offers something different up front (Photo: Getty)
Bukayo Saka gets first dibs on the right side of Harry Kane, though Noni Madueke is leaning heavily on his Arsenal teammate, propelled by his dynamic display against Serbia in Belgrade.
The left side is the big problem. Tuchel’s preference for Anthony Gordon is based on pace, but his being right-footed means the by-line is largely a left-side dead zone. Gordon predominantly comes inside and everything slows down.
I would select Cole Palmer, who at full tilt is arguably England’s most elusive presence, almost Lamine Yamal-like in his ability to find space, wrong-foot his opponent, and pick a pass. Palmer is too good not to be involved and the team is flexible enough to accommodate Palmer’s more instinctive inputs. Eberechi Eze would also work on the left in the same way.
England will have to be bold to emulate the boys of 66. The time for that is now.
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