Why Thomas Tuchel must rest Harry Kane and use England’s final camp to lock down World Cup squad
The Three Lions are set to face Serbia and Andorra in their final two qualifying matches…
England’s work is already done. Qualifying for next summer’s World Cup ended with time off, and for Thomas Tuchel it is both a luxury and a test.
With two qualifying matches still to come – against Serbia and Albania – there is no pressure on results. The real question is what he does with this freedom.
This international break is not about chasing points or tweaking the first-choice XI. England’s main men – Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka – have nothing left to prove in a qualifying group they have already dominated.
If Tuchel spends these last two matches fielding the same predictable lineup, he will waste valuable time that could be used to assess the depth of his team.
England’s path to a major tournament has rarely been smoother, but the final leap, to winning one, will depend on what lies beneath the surface.
This camp gives him the perfect opportunity to find out.
A deep dive into England’s defensive warriors
Tuchel’s defensive setup has constantly changed since his arrival. Jordan Pickford often sat behind a back four of Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Tino Livramento, but injuries have forced the former Chelsea boss to evaluate other options.
Ezri Konsa has been excellent for Aston Villa this season and seems like the most natural candidate to step in.
He is calm in possession, athletic in recovery and tactically sharp enough to switch between a back four and three, qualities that fit well with Tuchel’s system.
At his side, Jarell Quansah is the real joker. The 21-year-old has been quietly exceptional at Bayer Leverkusen, learning to build his game under pressure and defend in space.
At the back, Tuchel knows what he has in Reece James, but the Chelsea man’s constant injury problems make it essential to test others.
Djed Spence could offer something different: raw pace, width and appetite for attack, ideal if England ever return to a wing-back system, the same could be said of Nico O’Reilly.
And while Jordan Pickford’s role is secure, there’s no harm in exploring the options behind him. Dean Henderson’s passing range makes him a natural fit for Tuchel’s system.
Life without Rice and Bellingham
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham form the heart of this England team, everything flows through them. But if Tuchel really wants to understand his team, now is the time to see what happens without them.
The recall of Jordan Henderson could be controversial, but it is useful to have his experience within a young group. That said, his place in the final World Cup squad is far from guaranteed.
Adam Wharton has quietly become one of Crystal Palace’s most consistent players, while Alex Scott has shown at Bournemouth that he can control games and is ready to step up.
Both deserve real minutes alongside each other, perhaps in a trio with Elliot Anderson.
This trio may not have the gravitas of Rice and Bellingham, but that’s exactly the point. These matches should reveal who can step up when the stars are unavailable, who can keep England in rhythm without disrupting their identity.
Rest Kane and add to the attack
Harry Kane has been carrying the English attack for years. He is the captain, the scorer, the link man, and his place in the World Cup team is a certainty.
But with qualification sealed, there’s no reason to take any risks with him. Kane’s workload at Bayern Munich is relentless and Tuchel would be wise to use this window to explore what England are like without him.
Marcus Rashford offers a solution. His loan spell at Barcelona appears to have rekindled his confidence, and playing him in the middle could bring a different dynamic: more pace at the back, more verticality and less reliance on Kane’s build-up.
It would also test whether England can adapt to a faster, more transitional style of attack, which could suit knockout football.
Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are all certain to make the World Cup squad, but Tuchel could freshen things up by pairing them with players who are still trying to break through. Jarrod Bowen has been outstanding for West Ham, while Eberechi Eze brings a creativity and flair that few others possess.
Eze, in particular, deserves a closer look. His ability to weave through defenders and unlock tight spaces could make him a real game-changer coming off the bench in major tournaments. Likewise, the versatility of Morgan Rogers, capable of playing wide, as a false nine or as a roaming attacking midfielder, could give Tuchel a tactical wildcard option.
