England face Andorra at Villa Park in September and then Serbia in Belgrade in World Cup qualifiers; Thomas Tuchel has called up Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton, although the latter has been replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek through injury.
Rob Dorsett
Photo: Will Ruben Loftus-Cheek play a big part in Thomas Tuchel's England plans?
Since taking over as England manager, Thomas Tuchel has called up 13 different midfielders in three squads. It is certainly an area of the squad he has more questions about than answers with the World Cup still nine months away.
Ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade, he named Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton in the England squad for the first time. Tuchel saw it as a golden opportunity to assess their performances in an international setting, both in training camp and on the pitch during the qualifiers.
“We think they both deserve it,” Tuchel said on the day of the squad announcement. “They played an important role in two very successful campaigns for their clubs last season. They have full rhythm. It's time for more competition. It's time for new blood.”
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However, Wharton withdrew from the tournament with an adductor injury, and I am told he is very upset about it. He knows he does not have many opportunities to meet and impress his new coach before the tournament in North America next summer.
Wharton's absence benefits Ruben Loftus-Cheek , who has not played for England for nearly seven years but was called up late. The key word is late: his last appearance for the Three Lions was in November 2018, just after he played for England at the World Cup in Russia.
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Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett looks at Loftus-Cheek's latest England call-up
It would be easy to write off Loftus-Cheek's call-up as a one-off: the former Chelsea manager calling his old Chelsea mate to urgently ask him to come and help. But Tuchel doesn't do that.
Everything he does is methodical and the result of deep thought. Loftus-Cheek’s versatility and experience mean we can’t rule out the possibility – however unlikely it may seem at the moment – that he could make a big impression this week and influence Tuchel when he names his World Cup squad next spring.
In truth, Loftus-Cheek has played in a more advanced position at Milan in recent times, effectively operating as a No. 10, but Tuchel has used him predominantly as a deep-lying central midfielder at Chelsea, and that is his most likely role for England.
When the pair played together at Stamford Bridge, Loftus-Cheek was called upon to play in a variety of midfield roles and every defensive position except left-back.
Pictured: Tuchel coached Loftus-Cheek in 46 games for Chelsea.
“He [Tuchel] came to Chelsea and said, ‘Right-back?’ I said, ‘No, no, no’… but I still played there!” Loftus-Cheek explains. “I played in a lot of positions under him.
“Since I came to Milan, I've played much higher up, closer to the striker, to score goals and help the team in the final third, but under Thomas I've played much deeper, so I can do that. With what's going on in the tournament, versatility is kind of an advantage. I'm happy to play anywhere to fill in for the team and show everything I can do in the position I can.”
We know the England manager is looking for a No 6 first and foremost. England have been without the position for several seasons now – essentially since Kalvin Phillips fell down the national team's rankings. Jordan Henderson is used instead.
Which 13 England midfielders has Tuchel called up?
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
- Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
- Delcan Rice (Arsenal)
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Conor Gallagher (Atlético Madrid)
- Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan)
However, the late inclusion of Jarel Quansah is telling here – Tuchel didn't call on another midfielder, he called on a central defender.
It is therefore possible that Quansah has been called up to replace John Stones so that the Manchester City man can try out a more advanced holding midfield role. Tuchel has considered this possibility. We will see how it goes.
It is clear that Tuchel will continue to use Declan Rice in the forward No.8 role he excelled in at Arsenal, rather than asking him to drop deeper.
That would mean limiting his influence up top, which Tuchel knows is one of the greatest strengths of his game right now. And with Kobby Mainoo , England's starting centre-half at the Euro finals in Berlin, oddly out of favour at Manchester United, his return to the England squad is still a long way off.
So in central midfield, England's engine room, a key area if England are to dominate the big games, Tuchel has a lot to think about. He will be desperately hoping that this international break will bring him closer to a solution.
Sourse: skysports.com
