LONDON — Thomas Tuchel explained Jude Bellingham’s exclusion from the England squad partly by emphasizing the importance of identifying alternatives in case the Real Madrid star faces injury issues in the future.
England’s commanding 3-0 win over Wales at Wembley on Thursday served as evidence that he may have discovered not only another option but a true contender for Bellingham’s No. 10 position.
Morgan Rogers made a significant impression in last month’s 5-0 triumph against Serbia, which earned him the responsibility of continuing in the starting lineup. It took just three minutes for him and England to resume their momentum from Belgrade, skillfully finishing off a cutback from Marc Guéhi to score the opener.
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Rogers nearly had an assist eight minutes later when a slight touch from Guéhi altered his cross, allowing Ollie Watkins to convert. Later, Bukayo Saka delivered a stunning finish in the 20th minute.
For a manager who urged his squad to demonstrate their capability in the absence of Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish, Tuchel was understandably pleased with their collective performance.
This marked the fastest instance of England scoring three goals in a match since November 1987, all achieved without their all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, who has contributed to 74 of the 128 international goals from the entire squad.
“I didn’t sense any disruption in our flow, the workload, or our pressing,” Tuchel stated.
“The team is pushing itself, embracing the idea of attacking opponents. Currently, it’s very intense, demanding, but effective.
“They are performing at an exceptional level. I’m very pleased with our last two matches. We are certainly on the right path. It feels like we are creating a strong team spirit, akin to that of a club. The competition is fierce, and those who play are eager to keep their place on the team.”
Although there was a noticeable decline in intensity as the second half progressed and the match was effectively decided, Rogers continued to play a vital role for England, contributing to pressing and transitions effectively.
“Morgan is performing excellently, just like the entire team,” Tuchel commented. “He is humble, physical, capable of scoring and assisting. He had a fantastic season and rightly earned recognition as the best young player of last season in the Premier League.
“That is the level he is showing. We trust this team. Why not trust a group that has performed so well in the past? They demonstrated again today that even one and a half training sessions are enough for them to adjust and be ready.”
Rogers celebrated his goal with the “Cold Palmer” gesture, inadvertently reminding everyone of another competitor for the No. 10 role.
Cole Palmer was sidelined due to a groin issue and acknowledged that Rogers initiated the “Cold Palmer” celebration during their time together at Manchester City’s academy.
The Chelsea playmaker likely watched as Rogers scored his first England goal, potentially elevating Rogers above Palmer in the competitive landscape of the pitch.
Bellingham’s exceptional talent means that once he returns to full fitness and resumes his usual form at Real Madrid, he will likely secure a recall next month, possibly even a starting role.
However, Tuchel has highlighted the remarkable team spirit within the camp and the performance standards being set, reiterating that the onus is on Bellingham to respond in the weeks ahead.
Tuchel made four enforced changes from the squad that defeated Serbia, with Reece James, Tino Livramento, Kane, and Noni Madueke all injured. Despite this, the intensity and purpose of England’s play remained unshaken.
The combination overwhelmed Wales, and the scoreline could have been more severe, as Watkins missed a sitter from close range, with Tuchel rightfully suggesting that England could have been leading 5-0 by halftime.
Wales managed to improve in the second half, with Jordan Pickford making two crucial saves—one from David Brooks and another from Chris Mepham’s header—but they were firmly outmatched, often confined to their own half as England surged forward.
Similar to Rogers, Elliot Anderson is thriving under Tuchel’s management. Playing as a No. 6, he completed 74 out of 79 passes and had 92 touches, only surpassed by England’s center-backs Guéhi and John Stones, despite being substituted in the 69th minute. The 22-year-old was instrumental in England’s Under-21 European Championship success this summer and continues to strengthen his case for solving England’s long-standing issues in the defensive midfield position.
It remains uncertain whether he can maintain this level of control against elite or more dynamic opposition than Wales, but he is quickly building a strong case for the opportunity.
Occasions at Wembley can often be subdued, and Tuchel was vocal about the lack of energy from the crowd in comparison to England’s performance.
“The stadium was silent. We didn’t receive any energy from the stands. We did everything possible to win,” he remarked.
“What more could we give in 20 minutes? We didn’t allow them to escape. It’s disappointing to hear only the Wales fans for half an hour, as the team deserved more support today.
“I’m confident we’ll have fantastic support at the tournament. We had excellent backing in Serbia. But today, after scoring three goals by the 23rd minute and garnering turnover after turnover, I couldn’t help but wonder why the stadium felt so quiet.”
“That’s just how it is; it’s not a big deal. It could have given us a boost in the second half to regain energy and rhythm, but that wasn’t the case today. We won’t let it deter us. As I said, I truly believe we will energize the crowd. It’s up to us. However, I did feel a bit let down today.”
Tuchel hopes the England fans will rally behind the team, and those players on the fringes will need to rise to the occasion as well.