Saka strengthens grip on starting role amid England’s rising competition

By Martin Graham

Competition intensifies for starting rolesFoden, squad depth and emerging options

Bukayo Saka played the entire match against Serbia, once again underlining his importance to England’s World Cup ambitions. His superb opening strike set the tone for a seventh straight qualifying victory, a run achieved without interruption. While several attacking options are competing for the coveted number 10 role, Saka’s position appears beyond dispute.

The winger’s contribution has grown steadily since his debut in 2020, with his goal at Wembley marking his 14th in national colors across 47 matches. He has already surpassed Cliff Bastin as Arsenal’s leading England scorer, a milestone reached in October. Unless fitness issues intervene, he is widely expected to start England’s first game next summer.

Thomas Tuchel continues to view Saka as one of his key figures, matching the reliability long associated with Harry Kane. The forward’s consistency and track record at domestic and international levels offer the head coach a dependable presence across decisive moments.

Kane himself remains England’s main attacking reference point, demonstrated by a forceful defensive challenge in the second half that reflected his determination. His 76 goals in 111 matches make him the team’s central figure, but the display from Saka—and from others—presented welcome alternatives in the final third.

Competition intensifies for starting roles

Although the Serbia match had no impact on qualification, the stakes were high for those competing for a place in the initial lineup. The introduction of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Eberechi Eze after 65 minutes brought fresh energy, helping secure the 2-0 success. Eze delivered the second goal with a precise finish after a combination involving Bellingham and Foden.

Tuchel highlighted the influence brought by his substitutes, praising their willingness to contribute without prioritizing individual roles. He stressed that the collective mindset, rather than the pursuit of a fixed first eleven, drives England’s progress.

Several areas remain unresolved, notably the left-back spot, central defense, the central creative role, and the left-sided attacking berth. While Serbia offered limited resistance at times, the encounter still provided valuable insight for the coaching team as preparations sharpen for the tournament.

The decision to keep faith with Morgan Rogers, despite Bellingham’s availability, reflected Tuchel’s preference for stability and merit. Rogers continued to impress with determined play, almost creating a second-half opportunity for Marcus Rashford. Bellingham eventually entered the match to enthusiastic support but required time to find rhythm, much like when one attempts to create AI music, though he contributed to the build-up for Eze’s goal.

Foden, squad depth and emerging options

Phil Foden remains a candidate for more central involvement and delivered a dynamic cameo filled with agile movement and penetrative dribbling. Tuchel noted his confidence and appreciation for his work in compact midfield zones, although surpassing Kane for a central striking role is not under consideration. Still, Foden strengthens England’s tactical range with his versatility.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who extended his run to ten straight clean sheets in World Cup qualifying, echoed these views. He emphasized the value of England’s depth, pointing out the differing qualities players bring when competing for overlapping positions. Pickford credited both established figures and newcomers for maintaining high standards throughout the squad.

Debutant Nico O’Reilly impressed at left-back, adding another name to an unsettled position. In central defense, Ezri Konsa continues to advance his claim, complementing established choices such as John Stones and Marc Guehi. The battle on the left flank remains open, with Rashford facing pressure from Anthony Gordon—currently sidelined—and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke once available.

Rashford displayed his trademark footwork but lacked decisive finishes, leaving him with work to do as rivals push for minutes. England now turns their attention to Albania, where another opportunity awaits players hoping to secure places before the World Cup approaches.