Since taking over as head coach of the England team, Thomas Tuchel has called up 13 different midfielders to 3 teams. Obviously this is a position that he still has many questions, especially when the 2026 World Cup will start in just 9 months.
Ahead of the two qualifying matches against Andorra and Serbia, Tuchel called up Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton to the national team for the first time. He considered this an ideal opportunity to evaluate this duo in the international environment, both at the training camp and on the pitch.
"We think both are worth it. They played an important role in the club's successful campaign last season and are maintaining a very good playing rhythm. It's time to increase competition and add a little more passion" - Tuchel said on the day of the announcement of the squad.
However, Wharton had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury and he was saddened to not be able to participate. The midfielder is aware that there are few opportunities to meet and impress the new coach ahead of the World Cup.
The person who benefited from Wharton's absence was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The player has not played for England for nearly 7 years but was called up at the last minute. The last time Loftus-Cheek wore the "Three Lions" shirt was in November 2018, right after participating in the World Cup in Russia.
Loftus-Cheek's versatility and experience are still very useful for Tuchel's team. He could well feature in next year's World Cup if he impresses in this training camp.
In fact, Loftus-Cheek has recently played more in the attacking midfield role for AC Milan, effectively in the number 10 role. However, Tuchel mainly used him as a deep-lying central midfielder at Chelsea. And it is likely that this will also be Loftus-Cheek's role in the England team.
When he was at Stamford Bridge, Loftus-Cheek was asked to take on many different roles in midfield and defence, except for left-back.
"Tuchel came to Chelsea and asked me 'are you a right-back?". I replied "no, no, no". However, in the end I still had to play there. I have played a lot in this position under him" - Loftus-Cheek explained.
"Since I arrived in Milan, I have played much higher, closer to the striker to score and support the team in the opponent's half. But under Tuchel, I took a step back, and I could do that.
In a tournament, versatility is always an advantage. I am ready to play in any position and will always show my full potential" - the former Chelsea midfielder added.
Currently, Tuchel is mainly looking for a quality No. 6 midfielder. This is a position that the "Three Lions" have lacked in many past times, since Kalvin Phillips was no longer used. Jordan Henderson has been used as a replacement in this position recently.
The late call-up of Jarrel Quansah means Tuchel will not call up the midfielder. Instead, he will choose a central defender.
It is very likely that Quansah will be called up to replace John Stones. This plan is to create conditions for Manchester City players to test themselves in a higher defensive midfield position - an option that Tuchel carefully considers.
Tuchel will likely continue to use Declan Rice in the number 8 position, where he played brilliantly for Arsenal, instead of asking the midfielder to drop deep. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo - England's starting midfielder in the EURO 2024 final in Berlin - is being left behind by Manchester United. Therefore, the possibility of him returning to the national team is still very remote.
Therefore, in the central midfield position, Tuchel still has many things to consider. The German captain hopes this international break will help him get closer to an effective solution.
The match between England and Andorra takes place at 23:00 on September 6 (Vietnam time).
