Tuchel’s No.10 – England’s 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa set the tone for two audition nights before the World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas a week later, with Thomas Tuchel left weighing three crucial selection duels—especially Jude Bellingham’s case to start at No
England’s World Cup warm-up felt like it ran on nerves and timing as much as football. After a 1-0 win over New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the biggest headline for Thomas Tuchel wasn’t the scoreline—it was what happened in the individual auditions for starting places.
This was the first of two audition nights before England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas a week on Wednesday. The match against New Zealand wasn’t necessarily convincing from a collective perspective. and the intrigue sat squarely on the players pitched against each other for roles Tuchel will need nailed down.
Morgan Rogers v Jude Bellingham
Rogers started on the pitch, and the pairing alongside captain and Aston Villa man Jude Bellingham carried extra weight in a squad that has a suspicion Harry Kane will have a big say in who starts at No.10. England saw plenty of the ball, yet Rogers didn’t get the kind of impact you’d expect.
In his 45 minutes, Rogers completed only 18 passes. He did break clear in wide areas on a few occasions, but his delivery never found its intended target. Tuchel is known to highly value Rogers—particularly for his diligence when England are without the ball. He can press at the right time and at the right speed. But with the heat and England spending time in possession without needing to win it back from New Zealand. that strength of Rogers’ game wasn’t something he could fully showcase.
Bellingham, though, came on at half-time and immediately changed the feel of the duel. He tried to press his case, and he looked far more suited to the surroundings and ready to embrace the fight for his jersey.
He delivered a sharp ball in behind to send Anthony Gordon clear. Then, with a similar pass around the corner into Ivan Toney, the striker was fouled and a penalty was awarded—only for an assistant’s offside flag to reverse the call.
The battle for the No.10 keys swung decisively. The verdict was blunt: Tuchel, before this game, probably still favoured Rogers—but the opinion could change before Dallas.
Marcus Rashford v Anthony Gordon
If the Rogers-Bellingham contest had heat beneath it, this one felt like a straight coin toss. When the team-sheet dropped, it looked like advantage Rashford. By full-time, it felt certain the starting jersey for the Croatia opener would be his.
Rashford stood out in the first half in which Tuchel admitted he did not like his team. One reason may have been the lack of harmony with the tactical plan—Tuchel was frustrated with his widemen cutting inside—but Rashford still looked razor sharp.
He went for the kill every time he had the ball. The numbers mattered: he created the most chances (five) and had the most touches in the opposition box (five) of any player on the pitch.
There is also a sense that Rashford may be motivated by what’s been happening around Anthony Gordon. Gordon’s move to Barcelona has added context, but the likelihood that his own Barca dream is now over could serve as a spark for the other side of the duel.
Gordon was introduced at the break. His contribution was mixed—some good, some bad. At one point, Tuchel appeared to be cajoling him for more.
The caveat is clear: Gordon has not played since April, and he will need time to rediscover rhythm and fitness. Still, the verdict remained that Rashford looks like he is already in the fast lane and should start, while Gordon has work to do to get up to speed.
Ollie Watkins v Ivan Toney
This duel was different. It wasn’t about a starting spot—that belongs to Harry Kane. Instead, it was about who deserves to be his deputy, and whether Ivan Toney could justify himself as the long-term backup after Kane.
Toney had a chance in the second half to show he is the best option. But it didn’t land the way it needed to. Watkins had started the first half on the right wing. meaning there was an understanding that he was out of position. Even so, Watkins should have done much better than drag wide when clear from a brilliant Jordan Henderson ball.
For Toney, the story was more costly. He replaced Kane at the break and won a penalty, but he was already offside. In the closing moments, he was unmarked from six yards and put wide. Another flag meant it would not have counted anyway, but the execution was clearly way off.
The verdict framed Toney’s overall profile in straightforward terms: he showed he is a situational player—five or 10 minutes when chasing a game and employing the Hail Mary tactic. Watkins. through a couple of decent dribbles if not much more. proved he remains the best option as first substitute for Kane over longer periods.
One match, three duels, and two weeks to shape a World Cup lineup. England’s opener against Croatia in Dallas a week on Wednesday is the next act in Tuchel’s assessment—after tonight’s winner-take-all moments. particularly around the No.10 fight. with Bellingham’s case to start looking harder to ignore.
England New Zealand Thomas Tuchel Jude Bellingham Morgan Rogers Marcus Rashford Anthony Gordon Ollie Watkins Ivan Toney Harry Kane World Cup Croatia Dallas Raymond James Stadium
So who’s starting No.10 then? sounds like nobody knows lol
England won 1-0 and people are still upset? I don’t get it. Also Tampa heat must’ve messed with their passing right?
Wait is this saying Rogers had only 18 passes in 45 mins… that’s like barely anything. But then they’re saying Tuchel values him?? Maybe he just likes players who run a lot not actually score.
Bellingham coming on at halftime is probably just Tuchel protecting him for Croatia. Harry Kane will “have a big say” at No.10 like it’s some royal court or whatever. And England playing nerves/timing more than football… sounds like typical England overthinking to me.