There was nothing false about Jude Bellingham’s cameo at nine in Orlando. For Thomas Tuchel, the tactic is very real, and it blindsided observers locked in on the battle for No.10.
Much of the anxiety around England centres on the wellbeing of Harry Kane, and rightly so. An injury to the captain would feel like the end of the world. The end of the World Cup, more pertinently.
But in terms of pedigree, the alternatives to Kane do not come close to Bellingham, especially considering he has played the role for Real Madrid. Indeed, during his first season in Spain, his two goals in a 2-1 win over Barcelona came as a ‘false nine’.
At the time, Gary Lineker said: ‘If something happens to Harry Kane, Jude could play at centre-forward, as a false nine. He is now scoring poacher’s goals. He’s even doing the “easy” bits that I used to do! He is probably the most complete English footballer I’ve ever seen. No-one knows what Jude’s best position is because he is so good in several roles, but I could see him playing up front for England.’
There was a reason Tuchel smiled when the subject was explored after Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica, for he knows how valuable an insurance policy it could be. This, though, is the emergency option for which the head coach must hope he does not have to break the glass.
For now, rather, Tuchel has to find a way of including Bellingham in his XI alongside Kane. Because if he was hoping the final warm-up match would clear his mind and crystallise selection, it felt as if the performances of some may have clouded his thinking. They are nice problems to have, of course. But there are maybe one or two Tuchel did not have in his XI for Croatia who have given him a decision to make. None more so than Bellingham.
There was nothing false about Jude Bellingham’s cameo at No.9 against Costa Rica, with Thomas Tuchel viewing it as a very real tactic
Tuchel has been looking for an insurance policy in the event Harry Kane picks up an injury
After Tuchel spoke to the media in West Palm Beach on the evening before Costa Rica, his words had you believe that Morgan Rogers was still in possession of the No.10 jersey.
‘We have a lot of proof we can win football matches without Jude and that’s the more important headline,’ Tuchel had said. ‘Jude is in amazing form but we have to stop talking about individuals. Jude will not win this World Cup alone. It’s simply impossible. No-one will win this World Cup alone. We win it as a team.’
Given his loyalty to those who took England to these finals – and Rogers was a key cog during the autumn qualifiers – it felt like the German wanted to reward that group. It still does, in many ways. Rogers has done nothing wrong.
But when Bellingham was presented with the chance to shine in Orlando, he radiated star quality. He closed down a clearance inside 30 seconds, and that set the tone for his and the team’s high-intensity display.
‘The energy off the ball set the tone,’ said Tuchel. ‘We have made it clear our DNA is off the ball. I wanted to see Jude in combination with Harry, Elliot (Anderson) and Declan (Rice). I know what Morgan gives us there. For Jude it was the first time. He buys into these ideas. He has to and he loves to do it. He did it like everyone else on a high level.’
That was off the ball. On it, there were contributions that reminded you why Bellingham exists for the big occasion – a killer pass to send Noni Madueke clear and, later, the surge that led to England’s penalty for their second goal.
Bellingham may not dominate a contest from minute one to 90, but he does not have to in an advanced role. He showed here that he has the class and confidence to influence decisive moments, and that has long been his trademark.
Even still, Tuchel may yet favour Rogers for the opener in Dallas and the debate will continue in the coming days. It should not, Bellingham should start.
The debate over England’s No.10 position for the tournament opener will continue in the coming days, but it should not as Bellingham must start
Anthony Gordon also staked his claim to start on the left flank ahead of Marcus Rashford
He was not alone in forcing a rethink. So far ahead of Anthony Gordon was Marcus Rashford after the 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, Gordon’s start against Costa Rica felt as much like a chance to get minutes into his legs. Clearly, he did not agree. From the off, the Barcelona winger was set on proving a point, not just improving his fitness. Inside 60 seconds he burst in behind the defence and did the same 10 minutes later, this time burning by his full back before teeing up Rice for the opening goal.
There was a lull, understandably, given it was Gordon’s first start since April, but he found a second wind after half-time. He also kept his discipline by staying wide on the left – a preference of Tuchel – and he certainly did not look tired when smashing his 68th-minute penalty into the top left corner. So impactful was he, there is now an argument for letting Gordon carry that momentum into Croatia. Much like Bellingham, he knew that he had a window to impress, and he jumped right through it.
Tuchel may have wanted answers by this stage of England’s preparations, yet the questions he will leave Florida pondering are the type every World Cup manager would envy.
