The Three Lions are set to face Serbia and Andorra in their final two qualifiers…
England’s job is already done. Qualification for next summer’s World Cup has been wrapped up with time to spare, and for Thomas Tuchel, that’s both a luxury and a test.
With two qualifiers still to come – against Serbia and Albania – there’s no pressure on results. The real question is what he does with that freedom.
This international break isn’t about chasing points or polishing 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’ve already dominated.
If Tuchel spends these final two matches fielding the same predictable line-up, he’ll waste valuable time that could be used to assess the depth of his squad.
England’s path to a major tournament has rarely been smoother, but the final leap, actually winning one, will come down to what lies beneath the surface.
This camp gives him the perfect chance to find out.
A deep dive into England’s defensive warriors
Tuchel’s defensive setup has constantly changed since his arrival. Jordan Pickford has often sat behind a back four of Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Tino Livramento, but injuries have meant the former Chelsea boss has had to assess other options.
Ezri Konsa has been excellent for Aston Villa this season and looks like the most natural candidate to step in.
He’s calm in possession, athletic in recovery, and tactically sharp enough to shift between a back four and back three, qualities that fit Tuchel’s system well.
Alongside him, Jarell Quansah is the real wildcard. The 21-year-old has been quietly outstanding at Bayer Leverkusen, learning how to build play under pressure and defend in space.
At full-back, Tuchel knows what he has in Reece James, but the Chelsea man’s constant injury troubles make it essential to test others.
Djed Spence could offer something different: raw pace, width and an appetite to attack, ideal if England ever revert 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 side, everything flows through them. But if Tuchel wants to truly understand his squad, this is the time to see what happens without them.
Jordan Henderson’s recall might be controversial, yet there’s value in having his experience around 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 performers, Alex Scott, meanwhile, has shown at Bournemouth that he can control games and is ready to step up.
Both deserve genuine minutes alongside each other, perhaps in a three with Elliot Anderson.
This trio might not have the gravitas of Rice and Bellingham, but that’s exactly the point. These games should reveal who can step up when the stars are unavailable, who can keep England’s rhythm without disrupting its identity.
Resting Kane and adding to the attack
Harry Kane has carried England’s attack for years. He’s the captain, the goalscorer, the link man, and his place in the World Cup squad is a certainty.
But with qualification sealed, there’s no reason to risk him. Kane’s workload at Bayern Munich is relentless, and Tuchel would be wise to use this window to explore what England look like without him.
Marcus Rashford offers one solution. His loan move to Barcelona seems to have reignited his confidence, and playing him through the middle could bring a different dynamic: more pace in behind, more verticality, and less dependence on build-up through Kane.
It would also test whether England can adapt to a faster, more transitional attacking style, something that might 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 still trying to break in. Jarrod Bowen has been outstanding for West Ham, while Eberechi Eze brings creativity and flair that few others possess.
Eze, in particular, deserves a closer look. His ability to glide through defenders and unlock tight spaces could make him a genuine game-changer off the bench in major tournaments. Likewise, Morgan Rogers’ versatility, able to play wide, as a false nine, or as a roaming attacking midfielder, could give Tuchel a tactical wildcard option.
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