Violent storms rattled Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium, delaying England’s final friendly before the World Cup – but when it finally got under way, it was well worth the wait for Thomas Tuchel. His side’s 3-0 victory over Costa Rica provided a fierce physical test and plenty of pointers, yet one question remains unanswered: who will start as England’s number 10 against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June?
Tuchel has spent months deflecting debate over whether Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers should take the role. The German boss has seemed happy to foster healthy competition between the two boyhood friends, but now decision time is coming. Rogers has been the player in possession, with Tuchel keeping faith in the 23-year-old as Bellingham endured a mixed season at Real Madrid, interrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries. Against New Zealand, Tuchel started Rogers, though Bellingham came on for the second half and took the captaincy.
“Thomas Tuchel faces biggest decision on Bellingham or Rogers as England finalise World Cup preparations.”
After the Costa Rica win, when asked by BBC Radio 5 Live whether his starting line-up would be the same for the Croatia opener, Tuchel answered 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 resembled a man on a mission against Costa Rica, producing a superb through ball to Noni Madueke – which the Arsenal forward wasted – and showing sleight of foot in the build-up to England’s second goal. Unless Tuchel decides to play Rogers on the left, only one of the duo will start, making it arguably the biggest decision of his reign.
Meanwhile, England played a behind-closed-doors friendly against amateur side Miami FC at their training base on Thursday. The game, designed to improve fitness, saw Tuchel field a brand-new line-up full of players who had fewer minutes in the previous warm-up. There was no TV broadcast or radio coverage; pundits could only provide updates after the session.
Forward Bukayo Saka is carrying a slight Achilles issue and is considered a doubt to play heavy minutes. Tuchel noted the Arsenal winger needs careful management to return to full fitness.
With 14 or 15 'starters' in Tuchel’s mind, the final piece of the jigsaw – the number 10 – remains unresolved. The answer will come when England step out against Croatia in Dallas.