Thomas Tuchel has thrown a curveball into England’s final preparations. Jude Bellingham is on the bench. Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins are starting together. A 4-4-2 is on the table and nobody quite knows what to expect.
The friendly against New Zealand is the penultimate chance to test ideas before the World Cup. Costa Rica awaits next Wednesday. Then the real thing begins. Tuchel has made seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Japan in March. Only Morgan Rogers, Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi, and Kobbie Mainoo survived the cull.
You May Like
The attacking setup is the headline. Kane and Watkins together. Two number nines. It could be a flat 4-4-2. It could be a 4-2-3-1 with Kane dropping deeper. Either way, it is a departure from the systems England have used for years. Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are unavailable after the Champions League final, so Rogers starts on the right. Marcus Rashford gets the nod over Anthony Gordon on the left. Bellingham and Elliot Anderson both start on the bench.
Midfield belongs to Mainoo and Jordan Henderson. Youth and experience welded together. Mainoo’s composure alongside Henderson’s discipline. It is a statement of trust from Tuchel, or a sign that he is still searching.
Defence raises more questions. John Stones and Marc Guehi form a solid center back pairing. But Jarell Quansah at right back is unexpected. Djed Spence also starts. Tino Livramento, Reece James, and Nico O’Reilly are all on the bench watching. Tuchel is testing depth in the positions that could make or break a tournament run.
New Zealand arrive bruised from a 4-0 loss to Haiti. Darren Bazeley has made four changes. Joe Bell returns from a leg injury. Chris Wood earns his 90th cap leading the line. The All Whites have never beaten England. The two nations have only met twice, both in 1991. England won 1-0 and 2-0. The gap in quality remains wide.
Tuchel is using this game to answer questions. Can Kane and Watkins coexist. Can Quansah handle international football out of position. Does Henderson still have the legs for the biggest stage. The answers will shape the team that runs out against Croatia in the World Cup opener.
