1. The battle for No 10
Thomas Tuchel would have contradicted himself if he had dropped Morgan Rogers for Jude Bellingham. It might have despatched out the fallacious message. It might have gone in opposition to the whole lot Tuchel has been constructing over the past three camps, undermining the collective ethos that has made England comfortable once more and given them recent momentum to hold into subsequent summer time's World Cup.
In that context Rogers needed to begin in opposition to Serbia. His driving runs, intense counter-pressing and intelligent hyperlink play are qualities Tuchel prizes in a No 10. They have been in proof throughout a dominant begin from England. Rogers seemed decided to carry on to his place. He couldn't fairly discover the killer go however the intent was apparent.
The competitors for locations is fierce. Tuchel has stated there's a “low proportion” he takes 5 No 10s to the World Cup. Morgan Gibbs-White has been dropped. Bellingham, Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze have been on the bench. Cole Palmer is injured. Will somebody make means for him? Palmer makes the distinction in large video games.
So does Bellingham. Wembley stirred when the 22-year-old got here on for Rogers, who had light after a shiny begin. Bellingham was extra assertive and performed a task in England's second aim, linking with Foden. The good cash stays on him beginning subsequent summer time.
2. O'Reilly seizes his probability
Luke Shaw's disappearance from the worldwide stage has left England with an issue at left-back. Varied hopefuls need to set up themselves. Myles Lewis-Skelly was the reply in the beginning of Tuchel's reign however is on the sidelines at Arsenal. The versatile Tino Livramento has performed properly however is injured once more. Djed Spence is never overwhelmed for tempo however there are considerations over his effectiveness in possession.
Spence stepped apart for Nico O'Reilly right here. O'Reilly has shot to prominence at Manchester Metropolis and seemed assured on his worldwide debut. The 19-year-old is comfy on his left foot and gave England pure width. His overlapping runs brought on issues and it was his deflected shot that looped up for Bukayo Saka to open the scoring.
The caveat is that O'Reilly is a transformed midfielder. He's fast and robust however Serbia didn't take a look at his defensive nous. Harder exams await.
3. Rashford sparkles sporadically
It has at all times been vital to have velocity round Harry Kane. The combo was fallacious when Gareth Southgate tried to cram No 10s into the group at Euro 2024. It was a fundamental error. Kane likes to act as a playmaker however which means having runners round him.
Tuchel realises that. His construction is evident: a No 6, a No 8, a No 10 and two specialist wingers both facet of Kane. Saka is the plain choose on the correct, however what concerning the left? The dream state of affairs is Marcus Rashford turning into England's Son Heung-min. Kane liked dropping off and releasing Son after they have been teammates at Tottenham.
Rashford, beginning rather than the injured Anthony Gordon, might be equally efficient. Tuchel says he may be world class. The problem is enhancing his numbers.
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This was one other evening when Rashford left you wanting extra. There have been some beautiful touches – a dashing nutmeg, a zigzagging run close to the left byline, a beautiful piece of management – however the finish product was missing. A failure to launch Declan Rice in the course of the first half was poor. The place is open. Rashford didn't do sufficient earlier than being changed by Eze, whose creative dribbling and unpredictable motion gave England a distinct really feel.
4. Nothing false about Foden
Tuchel believes Kane, Bellingham and Foden can't begin collectively in England's present system. There was solely room for 2 when England rang the modifications. Bellingham got here on at No 10 and Kane withdrew to permit Foden to fit in as a false 9.
It is vital that England work out a option to play with out Kane, who has typically laboured at tournaments. Tuchel's choice to not identify one other No 9 on this squad is intriguing. The logic appears to be that Foden is solely a greater footballer than, say, Ollie Watkins, that means there may be extra upside to getting him on the pitch.
The experiment took some time to catch fireplace right here. It burst into life when Bellingham discovered Foden in area. Foden drove at Serbia and teed up Eze to whip a shocking shot into the highest nook.
5. Konsa retains it clear
It was one other clear sheet for England, though there have been a few scares. Dusan Vlahovic ought to have equalised and there have been instances when the defence seemed unsure. Marc Guéhi may fancy his possibilities of changing Ezri Konsa and establishing himself as John Stones's companion. Nonetheless, Konsa made an important late block to disclaim Serbia.
