England enjoyed a near-perfect international break, where going forward, Thomas Tuchel's side appear to have stepped up a level, scoring 14 goals in four games
Declan Rice missed the recent international break after withdrawing from the England squad
Declan Rice missed the recent international break after withdrawing from the England squad
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Eighty caps into his England career and Declan Rice has become used to being one of the first names on the team sheet. And now, for what feels like the first time, Rice’s place is under serious and genuine threat.
Thomas Tuchel has found a formula and a different way to play in these four Nations League games with what the coaching staff keep on calling “tweaks.”
Three players started all four Nations League games. Harry Kane, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson. Three players down the spine of the team.
What is that telling you? That says loud and clear that Anderson has become an absolute must for England boss Tuchel. And you can see why. I’m not saying that Anderson is better than Rice. But, for England, they do the same job.
They have to. England played a 4-4-2 at the World Cup. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as the front two and then the wide players.
Rice and Anderson did get in each other’s way in some games. There is no doubt about it. They cover the same ground, do the same job and it did not always click.
Rice plays much more of a marauding role for Arsenal and generally has someone sitting alongside him. It has been Myles Lewis-Skelly lately.
Rice is brilliant and undroppable for Arsenal - but he’s playing a different way. For Arsenal it’s more of a No8 role, bombing forward. Rice and Lewis-Skelly would have to play differently for England.
Rice has a more marauding role with Arsenal than England
Rice has a more marauding role with Arsenal than England
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For England, to make the system it’s been more of a double pivot up until these run of four games. The reason why this camp has felt more attacking is that one sits and one gets forward. They have a front four at times. It’s high energy, high press and exciting.
It brings out the best in England and Kane and Bellingham. Tuchel describes it as a front four. And they have an exciting and ambitious midfield behind.
Tuchel definitely discovered a new way in this four-game camp. Because there was no Rice and he had to try other things alongside Anderson. And it is the reason why it has felt the shackles are off and it has been action and exciting.
Anderson is all-action, gets forward and is always available. His passing and accuracy is off the scale. But he is more of a sitter.
That is why the double act with Alex Scott - already established for the England under-21s - worked so well. Anderson sat while Scott always looked forward.
Alex Scott and Elliot Anderson dovetailed perfectly during the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia
Alex Scott and Elliot Anderson dovetailed perfectly during the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia
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Scott is the antidote to the accusation that England players do not have ball players or possession in their DNA. He always looks forward with his vision and passing.
They fit brilliantly. And they are a better fit than Rice and Anderson. Rice is England’s vice-captain. And yet he is no longer indispensable.
Of course he will come back into the squad. But just look at what Tuchel has said about healthy competition. He wants to encourage players to turn up every time. Rice is not the naughty step like Cole Palmer. But he now has proper competition.
Let’s also not forget that this actually could be good news for Arsenal. Rice played too many games last season - he was near burn out and had major issues with his back through the World Cup.
He needed this mini break more than anyone. But the reality is that he may get more down time in future with England.