Tuchel faces tough calls on Bellingham and Saka ahead of England's World Cup opener

England coach Thomas Tuchel must decide between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for the number 10 role in the World Cup warm-up against Costa Rica.

England's final warm-up match Violent storms in Orlando delayed England's last friendly before the World Cup, but once the game against Costa Rica started, the wait proved worthwhile for head coach Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with England's intensity in their opening friendly against New Zealand in Tampa, where the 1-0 win felt more like a training session due to the coach fielding two different teams in each half. The match against Costa Rica offered a stark contrast, providing a tough physical challenge with clear lessons for Tuchel ahead of England's World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June in Dallas. When asked by BBC Radio 5 Live if his starting lineup for Wednesday's game would match the opener, he replied simply, 'Maybe.' He added, 'But we will always keep our cards in our hand. We will not give any decisions away because my thoughts at the moment are not for Croatia, they're for here today. It was a very strong line-up but it was a very strong bench as well.' ## Bellingham versus Rogers for number 10 Thomas Tuchel has spent months avoiding a decision on whether Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham or Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers should occupy England's number 10 role in high-stakes matches. The German manager has encouraged competition between the two childhood friends, but the moment of truth is approaching. Rogers has been the preferred choice recently, with Tuchel backing the 23-year-old while Bellingham endured a mixed campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu, marred by shoulder and hamstring injuries. Tuchel started with Rogers against New Zealand, though nothing conclusive could be drawn as Bellingham entered the second half and took over the captaincy. Both players are among the 14 or 15 'starters' Tuchel considers, but unless Rogers is deployed on the left against Croatia, only one of the two will feature in the starting XI. The decision could shape Tuchel's tenure and, after watching Bellingham's performance against Costa Rica, it appears the Real Madrid midfielder may force his way into the lineup. He crafted a brilliant through ball to Noni Madueke in the first half, though the Arsenal forward missed the target after rounding Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira. Bellingham showcased excellent dribbling before setting up Eberechi Eze for a shot that was handled, leading to Anthony Gordon converting the resulting penalty. Rogers also impressed from the bench, briefly operating as a false nine, leaving the debate far from settled. Still, Bellingham's display suggests he could be hard to leave out. ## Left wing battle between Gordon and Rashford Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is expected to start on the right flank if he is fit, though a lingering Achilles tendon issue has led Tuchel to manage his workload carefully. Saka's teammate, Madueke, delivered an inconsistent display on the right against Costa Rica. The bigger question surrounds who will occupy the left wing, with Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford emerging as the main contenders. Rashford's future at Barcelona remains uncertain following his loan departure from Manchester United. Both players have staked their claims: Rashford shone in the friendly against New Zealand, while Gordon struggled as a substitute, possibly affected by his inactive final weeks at Newcastle United after it became clear he would leave Tyneside. However, Gordon redeemed himself with a strong performance against Costa Rica, tormenting defender Shawn Johnson with explosive pace changes and contributing to Declan Rice's opener before scoring England's second goal from the penalty spot. Tuchel now faces another selection dilemma, though he could potentially resolve both the Rogers/Bellingham and left-wing debates by moving Rogers out wide. Most likely, the choice will come down to Gordon or Rashford, both of whom believe they have proven their worth during these two friendlies. ## Kane's evolving role under Tuchel Harry Kane's role as England's captain, talisman, and top scorer is underscored by his record of 79 goals in 114 international appearances. At 32, he continues to expand his game, taking on a more versatile role that now defines him as a complete player. In Orlando, Tuchel's decision to grant Kane a free-roaming position linking play, creating chances, and finishing was on full display. During the first half, Kane even collected the ball in England's own penalty area as part of the team's buildup play. Just before halftime, he executed a stunning pass with the inside of his right foot from deep, eliminating four Costa Rica defenders to find Anthony Gordon, whose potential penalty was overturned after a video assistant referee review. Tuchel's willingness to allow Kane such freedom mirrors the German's approach at Bayern Munich and adds a strategic dimension to England's setup. Kane's game intelligence, described as 'uncoachable' by former England striker Chris Sutton, enables him to both create opportunities and arrive in scoring positions with perfect timing. His passing range and vision allow him to find runners like Gordon or Saka, as well as Bellingham and Rogers during their trademark surges. This adaptability could prove crucial if England advance deep into the World Cup and face tougher opponents. Tuchel's reluctance to omit Kane, even in friendlies, highlights how central the Bayern Munich striker is to his plans. ## Stones and centre-back options Thomas Tuchel's decision to exclude Manchester United veteran Harry Maguire from England's World Cup squad placed greater scrutiny on John Stones' role in defence. Despite injury concerns that limited him last season, Stones' class and experience at the highest level remain unquestioned, earning him a spot in the squad. Tuchel appeared pleased with Stones' 63 minutes against Costa Rica, following his 45-minute appearance against New Zealand. If fully fit, which seems likely, Tuchel will face a strong temptation to field Stones in the starting lineup against Croatia. He would presumably partner Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, though Ezri Konsa's inclusion from the start against Costa Rica suggests an alternative possibility. Guehi and Stones, however, logged 45 minutes together against New Zealand and share familiarity both at club and international level. Selecting the most reliable centre-back pairing is yet another pivotal decision Tuchel must make as England targets a strong start to their campaign. ## Tuchel's potential starting eleven Here is one possible starting lineup for England against Croatia, featuring John Stones at centre-half and Jude Bellingham in the number 10 role. Do you agree? Have a try at picking your own XI below..