England coach will be sticking to his best central pair against defending champions after questionable switches against Norway
Against Lionel Messi and Argentina, England will need their very best on the pitch – and thoroughly fit too. Which is why the return of Declan Rice to the side is such a massive boost to the Three Lions.
The Arsenal midfielder is expected back in the centre of the park for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final, having recovered from the illness that kept him out of the second half of the quarter-final victory over Norway.
Rice was withdrawn at half-time in Miami after struggling through the opening 45 minutes. Thomas Tuchel later revealed the midfielder had spent most of the previous three days in bed because of illness, which only added to the ongoing concerns over his fitness, the number of games he has played, and even the back problem he carried to the tournament.
Who are England’s best central midfield pair? It is easy enough to say Rice and Elliot Anderson – those two would be the picks of nearly all England supporters, and unquestionably Tuchel himself.
The England coach seemed oddly confused when Rice had to come off against Norway, unable to continue. Who to replace him with? With Kobbie Mainoo sat under an invisibility cloak on the bench, Tuchel experimented with different combinations.
Reece James and Jude Bellingham were both played alongside Anderson, before England’s manager settled on Morgan Rogers, a No 10. Central midfield is of course an important position in Tuchel’s system. That was on showcase against Norway as Anderson helped create England’s first goal, the equaliser by Bellingham.
After Pickford played a goal kick, Anderson controlled and then combined with Anthony Gordon to put Bellingham through, England’s hero finishing superbly. The second goal came after Rogers tried a long-range strike and it was spilled by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, to Bellingham’s advantage.
“We played with Morgan Rogers in the eight and defensively as a double six,” Tuchel said afterwards. “He’s one of my key players. I’m so, so happy about his performance. He made a big step forward, like all our subs, but especially Morgan in a new position – absolutely top.”
As comforting as it was for supporters to see that the moment of confusion did not jeopardise England’s campaign, and even turned out very well in the end, Tuchel will most likely be sticking to his best central pair against defending champions Argentina, with Rice now back and ready to go.
