Rashford up front and nine changes – the England team Tuchel must pick vs Uruguay | Football | Sport
Thomas Tuchel’s England will take on Uruguay in the first of two March international friendlies. The Three Lions boss has opted to select an extended squad for this month’s matches, giving him the chance to get a closer look at some players who might be on the periphery of the squad.
Tuchel has granted a handful of players the first match off, citing extra minutes in their legs. The players in question are: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka. With that in mind, Express Sport have picked out the starting XI England should go for in order to learn the most ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
If there’s one position that is set in stone, it’s between the sticks. Jordan Pickford will almost certainly be England’s starting goalkeeper in the States, making this selection somewhat meaningless. Regardless, James Trafford impressed for Manchester City in the recent Carabao Cup final and should be given a start in this match.
Defence: Livramento, Stones, Tomori, Spence
Usually, these are the matches that John Stones would sit out, but such has been his limited game time at City, the defender could do with minutes in the legs. He should partner Fikayo Tomori in defence, while Tino Livramento deserves a chance to shine at right back. On the opposite flank, Djed Spence has been a small positive in a season of disasters for Tottenham and could stake a claim for a World Cup spot if he catches the eye in this friendly.
Midfield: Wharton, Mainoo, Foden
What if Declan Rice picks up an injury or a suspension? That’s something Tuchel will need an answer to in the summer, making this match the perfect chance to try it out. Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo to give legs and energy in both boxes, while a last chance saloon for Phil Foden in the No.10 role. He’s fallen right down the pecking order and faces an uphill battle to impress Tuchel before the summer tournament.
Attack: Madueke, Rashford, Gordon
Similar to Rice, how does Tuchel approach a lack of Harry Kane in the starting XI? In the last Euros, Gareth Southgate used Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, but neither have made the squad. There are a few options Tuchel could go for, including Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon as a centre forward. Whichever one operates up front, the other can come off the left, while Noni Madueke is the perfect deputy to Bukayo Saka at right-wing. All in all, it represents nine changes from England’s last match against Albania in November.
