England completed a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with victory in Albania, giving head coach Thomas Tuchel an exceptional record of eight wins from eight with 22 goals scored and none conceded.
It concludes the first phase of the work that Tuchel was commissioned to do by the Football Association after taking over from Sir Gareth Southgate. Namely winning the World Cup.
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Tuchel’s planning now takes the next step: So what are the main questions he needs to think about before naming his World Cup squad as he looks to end a 60-year wait for a major men’s trophy?
Bellingham or Rogers?
England’s win over Albania saw Jude Bellingham start his first international match since June (Getty Images)
The rivalry between childhood friends Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for England’s number 10 jersey provides an intriguing subplot to Tuchel’s preparation for the World Cup.
Tuchel emphasizes that the battle can stay friendly, even though it was almost fueled and encouraged by the German, he is so keen to create an advantage and competition in his team.
Along with Declan Rice, Rogers is the only other England player to have featured in all 10 games under Tuchel.
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Rogers grabbed his chance in impressive fashion when Bellingham was out after shoulder surgery, then Tuchel kept faith in the 23-year-old from Aston Villa after deciding against an instant recall of one of the England team’s global superstars.
After a 25-minute appearance as a substitute against Serbia at Wembley, Bellingham started in Tirana, delivering a bit of everything that makes him such a passionate talking point.
Bellingham showed off his range of passing, made some trademark runs, almost scored in the second half – but also showed petulance when he received a yellow card for a foul committed after losing possession, then seemed unhappy to be substituted, which Tuchel said he would review.
The accomplished manner in which Rogers arrived on the England scene has posed a wonderful conundrum for Tuchel, while the searing heat of next summer’s World Cup means he is likely to deploy ‘starters’ and ‘finishers’, Bellingham and Rogers can do both.
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Rogers has a fervent admirer in Tuchel. He made 10 appearances under him, starting six matches and playing a total of 531 minutes. Bellingham started four, playing 374 minutes in total.
Tuchel will not avoid big decisions. He won’t dabble in star systems or just pack his team with the biggest names.
So who will start?
For all of Rogers’ impressive work, Bellingham proved he can deliver game-changing moments at the highest level, his status also confirmed when Albanian Kristjan Asllani asked him to swap shirts at half-time rather than risk leaving it until the end.
Phil Foden will be on Tuchel’s mind, with the German saying he does not consider the Manchester City striker as a winger, and instead “like a mix between a nine and a 10”.
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Chelsea’s Cole Palmer also has the ability and class to force his way into the team if he can recover from his groin injury.
In reality, though, it seems like a choice between Bellingham and Rogers.
Bellingham’s greater experience in the rarefied air of major competitions will surely give him the edge when Tuchel names his squad for England’s first World Cup match.
Kane essential – but who are the alternatives?
Harry Kane maintained his magnificent England record with the double in Albania which saw them finish World Cup qualifying with a victory.
Kane may be 32, but he looks in his prime, a master marksman as well as a complete player, willing to drop deep to do the dirty work but always arriving at the end with perfect timing when goals are needed.
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Former England defender Conor Coady told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t want to think about an England without Harry Kane. What he brings to this team is incredible.
“The way he continues to produce these numbers is incredible and a credit to him. He is the first in and the last out of the training ground. He is our biggest hope for next year.”
Kane is indispensable, England’s top scorer with 78 goals in 112 international matches.
If he doesn’t play, the fall is deep. Kane’s potential deputies are all perfectly capable, but they’re not Harry Kane.
An injury to his captain will be Tuchel’s biggest fear, especially as the ready-made replacements hardly form an orderly queue.
Harry Kane has now scored 78 goals in 112 games for England (EPA)
Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck, 34, has been touted. It is testament to the enduring talent of the striker, who last played for England seven years ago, but also suggests the cupboard is worryingly empty.
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Tuchel said Welbeck was “very close” to a call-up for England’s final camp, but added: “I felt even without knowing him, I know what he can give us. Do I really need to see that in November?”
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was used, although Ivan Toney disappeared after being bizarrely summoned from Saudi Arabia to play two minutes in the friendly against Senegal last June.
Marcus Rashford can play as a striker, while Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon has played there for his club, but he is not a natural fit.
Foden has been mentioned as part of a tactical tweak if England need a main striker, but the bottom line is they still don’t have anyone who comes close to Kane’s class.
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As Coady said, England without Harry Kane at the World Cup is unthinkable.
Tuchel mulls defensive questions
John Stones brings class, experience and versatility to the English defense. So will he start the World Cup? (Getty Images)
John Stones showed his class and versatility in a hybrid role in Tirana, seemingly in his usual central defensive position but stepping in in midfield when England were in possession. It’s a ploy he can pull off with comfort, potentially giving an extra dimension to Tuchel’s strategy.
Former England defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live: “This game against Albania confirms why John Stones is so vital to this England team. He directs the play from a centre-back position and a central midfield position. Really impressive.”
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It will likely be a more orthodox group of four defenders at the World Cup, so it comes down to two of the Stones, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in central defense.
Stones may have the advantage thanks to his wealth of experience, while Konsa and Guehi, who both missed victory in Albania through injury, have grown as internationals.
Coady said: “I think it’s really close. Konsa has been outstanding. For me it’s Stones and Guehi who are going to lose. Keeping Stones fit for the World Cup is absolutely huge.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah made his long-awaited senior debut against Albania and impressed, starting at center before coming out wide.
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Tuchel must also choose his left-back with an exciting trio of youngsters leading the charge.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly were all given their senior debuts by Tuchel, but it was O’Reilly who started and impressed in the last two qualifiers.
Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, currently injured, could be front-runner for that spot, with Lewis-Skelly left out by Tuchel due to lack of playing time this season. O’Reilly may have edged out Spence after this camp.
This is still a position up for grabs.
Will Rashford start on the left?
Marcus Rashford assisted Harry Kane seven minutes after coming on against Albania (Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka has landed the right wing spot, so who will play on the opposite side?
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Marcus Rashford left Tuchel something to remember during England’s World Cup qualifier with a superb cross for Kane’s second goal in Tirana.
Rashford has made his case, but Gordon has also impressed, while Tuchel is a big fan of Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, who is currently injured.
Jack Grealish has done well on loan at Everton, but he simply has too much competition to force his way through and has not played for the Three Lions since October 2024.
Eberechi Eze started against Albania and can play on the left or as a number 10, although he is not at the forefront of conversations to compete with Bellingham and Rogers in that role.
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If Rashford wanted to give Tuchel something to think about, his superb cross for Kane to complete his double gave the head coach something to digest.
