Thomas Tuchel has found an unexpected advantage in Anthony Gordon’s recent shift from Newcastle to Barcelona. “It is excellent,” remarked the England manager. “It offers a wonderful opportunity for me to observe matches. I wholeheartedly encourage people to visit beautiful locations.”
After England’s initial World Cup warm-up clash on Saturday—a narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa—Tuchel appeared in a lighthearted mood, despite expressing dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the team’s performance. The match was largely one-sided, yet his squad’s final touches were lacking. Tuchel criticized his players for their positional discipline, which led to a constricted formation, particularly during the first half.
In the second half, Tuchel opted for a complete overhaul of the starting eleven—prioritizing load management—with Gordon stepping in for Marcus Rashford on the left flank. This situation is particularly intriguing given Rashford’s recent successful loan stint at Barcelona, where he aims for a permanent transfer. The agreement features a €30m (£26m) option-to-buy clause that Manchester United insists is non-negotiable, while Barcelona has sought to negotiate. Thus, it raises questions about Rashford’s feelings after Barcelona acquired his direct competitor in the England squad for €70m plus €10m in add-ons. “It is a slight quirk,” Tuchel commented, maintaining his jovial demeanor. “Let’s see how Barcelona and Marcus proceed.”
The true advantage for both Tuchel and England lies in the intensified rivalry between Gordon and Rashford. This competition aligns with one of Tuchel’s core principles for achieving World Cup success—positional clarity. He believes in a structured approach, emphasizing that players should occupy their optimal roles, avoiding the mismatch of placing the best eleven individuals together without regard for fit. His strategy typically involves having two players vying for every outfield position, effectively creating numerous one-on-one competitions, with the Gordon vs. Rashford matchup being one of the most closely watched leading up to the opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
Tuchel has consistently shown strong support for Rashford since assuming the head coach role. In March 2025, when he announced his first squad for the qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, he made the decision to call Rashford back from a period of limited play. At the time, Rashford was on loan at Aston Villa, having made just one Premier League start without scoring. Tuchel could have delayed his selection until the next international window in June, but he chose to include him to reignite their connection and express his belief in Rashford’s ability to return to his peak form. It was a quintessential Tuchel move in man-management, aimed at fostering momentum.
Against New Zealand, Rashford displayed a strong performance. Similar to Gordon, he prefers cutting inside onto his dominant right foot. Yet, was he part of the structural issues Tuchel lamented? There were many positives regarding the 28-year-old, arguably making him England’s standout player with five chances created—the highest in the match. However, his finishing left something to be desired; when presented with opportunities, Rashford needed to be more decisive and precise. In comparison, Gordon struggled to make an impact during his 45 minutes on the field.
Tuchel’s strategic assignment of roles within his squad is methodical. He highlighted a group of players tasked with “finishing matches for us, energizing the team, and setting standards for competition.” He noted that there are “14 or 15 potential starters.” Among the clear choices appear to be Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guéhi, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane. This leaves plenty of battles ahead—not just between Gordon and Rashford.
Is Jude Bellingham vying for the starting No. 10 position? “Yes, he is,” Tuchel confirmed. “He is among the [group of] starters … he recognizes that. In my mind, there are 14 or 15 genuine starters, and Jude is certainly one of them.”
Bellingham’s competition comes from Morgan Rogers, who started against New Zealand but failed to make a significant impression. Bellingham took over for the second half and showcased his trademark energy and incisiveness, seemingly eager to prove himself after recovering from a serious hamstring injury that sidelined him during the March internationals. While Tuchel appreciates Rogers for his off-the-ball contributions, Bellingham’s status as a global star makes this competition particularly compelling.
Tuchel will continue to refine his strategies during the upcoming friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday. It will be intriguing to see which players receive the majority of minutes, as he plans to avoid using two separate lineups this time.
There is no question about who occupies the top spot on Tuchel’s team sheet. Kane increased his record England tally to 79 with the decisive goal against New Zealand, raising concerns about the team’s reliance on him for scoring. Tuchel was questioned on whether this reliance could persist, given that Kane cannot always be the one finding the net. His response channeled his inner Mick McCarthy, asserting, “He can,” with confidence. “He absolutely can. I understand the concern, but I am not worried. We will excel in set pieces and once we face teams willing to challenge us, we will perform well.”
