For Thomas Tuchel, there’s an unexpected advantage stemming from Anthony Gordon’s recent transfer from Newcastle to Barcelona. “It’s fantastic,” remarked the England manager. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to observe matches. I can only urge everyone to visit beautiful locations.”
Tuchel displayed a light-hearted demeanor following England’s opening World Cup warm-up match on Saturday, which ended in a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa. Despite the win, he expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of his team’s performance. The match was largely one-sided, yet his squad consistently struggled with their final actions. Tuchel voiced concerns about his players’ lack of positional discipline, resulting in a constricted shape, particularly during the first half.
For the second half, Tuchel opted for a complete overhaul of his lineup, focusing on player management, with Gordon stepping in for Marcus Rashford on the left flank. The situation surrounding these two players is quite intriguing. Rashford recently concluded a successful loan season at Barcelona from Manchester United, and he is eager to secure a permanent transfer. His loan agreement includes a €30 million (£26 million) option to buy, which United has insisted is non-negotiable, while Barcelona has expressed a desire to renegotiate. Thus, one can only imagine Rashford’s feelings when Barcelona opted to invest €70 million plus €10 million in add-ons for his direct competitor in the England squad. “It’s a unique situation,” Tuchel said, maintaining his cheerful demeanor. “We’ll see what decision Barcelona makes and what Marcus chooses.”
The true advantage of Gordon’s transfer for Tuchel and England lies in the intensified competition between him and Rashford. This aligns with one of Tuchel’s core strategies for achieving World Cup success—having clear positional roles. While some flexibility is acceptable, Tuchel seems to imply that there shouldn’t be excessive deviation from this principle. He aims for his players to occupy their optimal positions, avoiding mismatches akin to the Lampard/Gerrard conundrum. Generally, he prefers to have two players vying for each outfield position, effectively creating a series of head-to-head contests. One of the most challenging decisions before the opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 is the choice between Gordon and Rashford.
Tuchel has gone to great lengths to support Rashford since taking over as head coach. He made the decision to bring him back into the fold in March 2025 when he announced his first squad for the qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, even though Rashford was then on loan at Aston Villa and had only made one Premier League start without scoring. Tuchel had the option to wait until the next international window in June to work with Rashford, and there was no obligation to select him. However, Tuchel opted to include him to tap into Rashford’s positive energy and to reignite their partnership, demonstrating his belief that Rashford could return to his top form. It was a textbook example of Tuchel’s approach to man-management aimed at building momentum. Whenever Rashford has been fit, he has been included.
During the match against New Zealand, Rashford showcased his intent. Like Gordon, he prefers to cut inside onto his stronger right foot. Was he part of the structural issues that Tuchel lamented? Yet, there was much to appreciate about the 28-year-old, who may have been England’s standout player, creating five chances—more than anyone else in the game. However, his finishing left something to be desired, as he missed a couple of clear opportunities when he needed to be quicker and more precise. In contrast, Gordon struggled to make an impact during his time on the pitch.
Tuchel’s delineation of roles within his squad is clear on multiple fronts. He identified a subset of players who are expected to “conclude matches for us, maintain energy, and embody the standards we aspire to while competing for positions.” He indicated that there are “14 or 15 potential starters.” The core selections seem to be Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guéhi, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane, indicating fierce competition across the board—not just between Gordon and Rashford.
Is Jude Bellingham in contention for the starting No 10 position? “Yes, he is,” Tuchel confirmed. “He is among the [group of] starters… he understands that. In my mind, there are 14 or 15 real starters, and Jude is one of them.”
Bellingham’s competitor is Morgan Rogers, who started against New Zealand but failed to impress. Bellingham stepped in during the second half and made a notable impact, displaying his characteristic energy and ball dominance. He seemed eager to prove himself after missing the March internationals while recovering from a serious hamstring injury. While Tuchel appreciates Rogers, particularly for his off-the-ball contributions, Bellingham’s global star power is undeniable. The decision between the two adds another layer of intrigue.
Tuchel will continue to refine his squad in the upcoming friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday. Observers will be keen to see which players receive the bulk of the playing time, as he is unlikely to utilize two separate lineups this time.
There is no ambiguity regarding the player at the top of Tuchel’s roster. Kane extended his record England tally to 79 with the decisive goal against New Zealand, raising concerns about the team’s over-reliance on him for scoring. Tuchel was questioned about whether this reliance could persist, as Kane cannot always be expected to deliver goals. He responded with a nod to Mick McCarthy’s philosophy. “He can,” the German stated confidently. “He absolutely can. I understand the concern, but I am not worried. We will excel in set pieces and when the game opens up against teams that genuinely aim to defeat us, we will perform well.”
Tuchel’s insight into his squad dynamics and the evolving competition could be key as England gears up for the World Cup, with both Gordon and Rashford poised to make significant contributions. As the tournament approaches, the emphasis on positional clarity and the players’ readiness will be paramount for success.
