Anthony Gordon is expected to get the nod on the left for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, with Marcus Rashford likely used from the bench. Bukayo Saka’s Achilles issue remains a fitness concern, leaving Thomas Tuchel considering him as an impact op
Dallas has barely had time to settle into the spotlight before England’s World Cup opener starts to shape up as a selection story of fine margins. If Anthony Gordon is handed the starting left role against Croatia on Wednesday. the message from Thomas Tuchel will be loud and deliberate: this isn’t about replacing Marcus Rashford so much as using both left-wing qualities across a full match.
Tuchel is said to see value in keeping both men involved over 90 minutes. Gordon’s appeal is straightforward. His discipline in position and his intensity from the off give England a foothold early. Rashford. meanwhile. is viewed as the type to change the rhythm with bursts of individual brilliance. especially from the bench when games begin to open and finishing moments matter.
Were Gordon to start, Tuchel is expected to stress that the selection is about the whole arc of the contest, not a hierarchy. With teams allowed five substitutions, that “who finishes the game?” question is likely to sit at the centre of England’s plan.
The bigger decision web, though, runs straight through the fitness concern affecting Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger did feature in some of last week’s 6-0 win over Miami FC in a behind-closed-doors practice game. but not for the majority of it. His lingering Achilles complaint remains a problem, and in North America he hasn’t looked at his sharpest so far. For Tuchel. the practical call appears to be using Saka for now as an impact substitute. rather than risking a start while the issue is still unresolved.
That would keep Noni Madueke, club-mate to Saka, in line to start on the right.
England’s back line is also being discussed with a specific kind of urgency: who brings the right physicality and presence at centre back. Ezri Konsa is thought to be set to partner John Stones. Marc Guehi had appeared favourite to start in the middle coming into the tournament. but Tuchel is understood to favour Konsa’s height and physicality. with Stones offering ball-playing ability.
Then there is No.10 — the role that can turn a good tournament plan into a match-winning one. Tuchel faces a straight-on selection question between the attack-minded options available. with Jude Bellingham standing out after impressing when taking the starting jersey during last week’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Orlando.
How quickly Bellingham has been integrated into the strongest XI is part of the mood around camp. Sources noted he was the first off the plane behind captain Harry Kane when England arrived in Kansas City on Saturday. and there’s a feeling around the group that he has moved ahead of Morgan Rogers in the attacking-midfield position.
All of it leaves England entering Wednesday’s opener with a team built around timing as much as talent: Gordon’s discipline starting the match. Rashford’s brilliance offered later. Saka potentially used in bursts if his Achilles allows. and a central spine shaped by Konsa’s physicality. Stones’ passing. and Bellingham’s momentum at No.10. Dallas is where it all gets tested.
England Croatia World Cup opener Anthony Gordon Marcus Rashford Bukayo Saka Achilles complaint Thomas Tuchel Ezri Konsa John Stones Marc Guehi Noni Madueke Jude Bellingham Morgan Rogers Harry Kane Dallas
So Saka just… can’t play? That’s rough.
Wait, is Rashford not starting then? I swear they keep changing lineups like every practice. If Saka is hurt, why even risk him at all like c’mon.
Gordon starting over Rashford makes no sense to me tbh. Like Rashford is the one who “changes the rhythm” or whatever, so benching him feels backwards. Also Achilles stuff is always shady—he should’ve been fully good if he played that Miami FC thing.
This is basically a ‘who finishes’ situation right? 5 subs, impact subs, selection story of fine margins… I don’t even know what that means in real human terms. If Tuchel uses Saka off the bench then maybe that’s smart, but Achilles issues can get worse fast, right? Also why did it say Dallas like England’s playing in Texas lol.