Mainoo starts and no Palmer – my predicted England XI to face Japan
Some familiar faces are back in the fold for Tuesday’s friendly against Japan after Thomas Tuchel’s experimental England back-up team drew to Uruguay on Friday.
And it is that dispiriting 1-1, coupled with the fact Japan are England’s third-last opponents before the World Cup, which should prompt Tuchel into fielding as strong an XI as possible this week.
The Wembley crowd are an expectant and restless bunch after all, making paper aeroplanes before booing Ben White on Friday night, and they will hope to see Tuchel’s main World Cup characters after several extras including Phil Foden failed their audition.
That includes a return for captain Harry Kane, although Tuchel has been dealt a blow after Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were among eight withdrawals on Saturday.
With some tough decisions to make particularly at full-back and left wing, here is how he might line-up his England side should he go big from the start…
Goalkeeper
James Trafford faced Uruguay while Dean Henderson was one of the 11 players rested, but Tuchel would be wise to hand the gloves back to Jordan Pickford, England’s undisputed No 1.
The 32-year-old is primed to appear at a third World Cup as first choice, and every minute spent on the pitch in front of Tuchel’s favoured centre-back pairing is valuable time spent for all.
Defence
Djed Spence impressed at left-back against Uruguay (Photo: Getty)
Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa both return to face Japan, and as Tuchel’s most probable starting centre-back partnership for the World Cup, the pair need time to gel despite Harry Maguire strengthening his case against Uruguay.
Elsewhere, Tuchel’s two biggest unknowns are at full-back. Reece James’s injury has opened the door for other right-back candidates, and after Tino Livramento faced Uruguay, it could be that Djed Spence showcases his versatility by switching sides.
Spence was one of the brighter notes at left-back against Uruguay, linking up well with Marcus Rashford, and having already played twice on the right under Tuchel last year that move would leave the England manager choosing between Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
O’Reilly returns to the scene of his Carabao Cup final heroics, and he could ride that wave all the way to a World Cup starting place should he get the chance at Wembley on Tuesday, but for many Hall is more worthy of the nod. Honestly? It’s a coin toss, but maybe Hall just edges it.
Midfield
The Rogers vs Bellingham debate will run into the World Cup (Photo: Getty)
It would have been a simple choice in defensive midfield, Rice and Elliot Anderson, before the former withdrew. Now Tuchel could turn to Kobbie Mainoo after the Manchester United star only featured briefly on Friday.
Having impressed Tuchel in the autumn, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers will hope to start at No 10.
Cole Palmer also made a strong case off the bench on Friday, enjoying a free role when the game was a little more stretched, but despite strengthening his chances of making the plane he could well remain Tuchel’s go-to gamechanger off the bench for the World Cup.
One option to play Rogers as well as Palmer or Jude Bellingham would be moving Rogers out to left wing, where he has played at times for Villa this season, but that could mean entering dangerous territory – last seen at England level when Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard played (and yet could not play) together.
Expect that debate to be renewed should Palmer, Bellingham and Rogers all make Tuchel’s final World Cup squad.
Forwards
In reality Tuchel will be expected to choose between Anthony Gordon and Rashford on left wing.
Though not fully convinced by either – and therein lies the reason this position is Tuchel’s most problematic – it would be fair to start Gordon against Japan given Rashford faced Uruguay.
That said, if the Croatia game (England’s World Cup opener) was tomorrow, then Rashford is my pick. He troubles full-backs in a way Gordon can’t, and if Operation Get The Ball To Kane kicks into gear at the World Cup – which is a must given his Bayern Munich form – then it is Rashford’s pace I would want down the left wing.
Beyond that, Kane at No 9 is the easiest pick, and with Saka out West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen will hope to strengthen his case on right wing. Palmer is another option here, and arguably the more exciting pick, but may miss out here as well.
Post a Comment