When it comes to assessing the state of Harry Kane’s England, Thomas Tuchel could easily recall the dispiriting moments when a lackluster squad exited the 2014 World Cup after a disheartening 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.
Those were bleak days for English football. Following losses in their initial two group matches in Brazil, the Football Association faced growing concerns that such humiliations were becoming a norm.
Roy Hodgson described the team as being “in a realm of despair,” and things only worsened with the shocking defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016. However, those setbacks belong to a vastly different era. Under Gareth Southgate’s guidance, the team has experienced a revival, restoring pride and unity before his departure following a near-miss at Euro 2024. Tuchel’s aspirations of adding a second star to the national jersey seem grounded in reality.
While optimism surrounds England’s prospects at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, there is an underlying worry regarding their increasing dependence on Kane for scoring. Tuchel was unfazed after Kane’s adept header secured a victory against New Zealand last Saturday in Tampa. The striker, in red-hot form, netted 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this past season and stands as a top contender for the Ballon d’Or, should he help England clinch their first title since 1966.
These statistics are impressive, yet lingering concerns remain. What will happen if opposing teams effectively neutralize Kane? Or worse, what if he suffers an injury on a challenging American pitch?
Tuchel has two capable substitutes for the No. 9 position, but neither possesses elite status. Ollie Watkins concluded the season strongly with Aston Villa and can exploit fatigued defenses, but he squandered his lone opportunity against New Zealand. Similarly, Ivan Toney was ineffective against the All Whites, selected mainly for his ability to draw attention away from Kane in crucial moments.
The focus, therefore, shifts away from Watkins and Toney, emphasizing the need for greater contributions from the wide players and attacking midfielders.
Tuchel is looking for more from the forwards who will support Kane, hoping at least one will find their scoring touch as England prepares for their final warm-up against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday night. Marcus Rashford, with 18 goals in 71 appearances, ranks as the squad’s second-highest scorer but showed hesitance in front of goal against New Zealand. A more decisive approach is necessary. Bukayo Saka boasts a superior strike rate with 14 goals in 48 appearances and is exceptional on the wings. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke have contributed two and one goals, respectively. In terms of playmakers, Jude Bellingham has netted six times, Eberechi Eze has three, and Morgan Rogers has one.
“The sheer volume of our players on the wings and elsewhere isn’t matching the outstanding figures we expect,” Tuchel remarked in March. He sought more from his creative talents at the club level. When observing England’s competitors, he may note Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé ready to assist as Michael Olise netted a hat-trick for France against Northern Ireland. He will also see Spain’s Pedri scoring from midfield in their 3-1 victory over Peru. Other nations like Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium have shared goal-scoring duties effectively.
England must diversify their attacking options, relying on individuals beyond Kane to influence matches. Rashford, who is vying with Gordon for a left-wing position, enjoyed a strong season with Barcelona but hasn’t scored in open play for the national team in nearly three years. Despite the wealth of talent available, England has yet to find a suitable replacement for Raheem Sterling, who excelled in supporting Kane by converting crosses from the wing during his prime.
Saka has scored just twice since the Euros, while Bellingham has yet to find the back of the net under Tuchel. The match against Costa Rica presents an essential opportunity for Kane’s teammates to gain confidence. While England’s proficiency on set pieces has been emphasized, it’s critical to acknowledge that match officials will be vigilant about grappling and blocking in the box. Adapting Premier League corner tactics may prove challenging; thus, England must exhibit more creativity during open play.
This requires establishing fluidity in possession against Costa Rica. England is likely to control the game against opponents who failed to qualify for the World Cup. Tuchel experimented with different lineups during the match against New Zealand, aiming to build endurance in the Florida heat, but the team in Orlando should resemble the one set to face Croatia in their Group L opener next Wednesday.
Several players may see 60 to 70 minutes of action against Costa Rica. A pivotal selection decision looms over whether Bellingham’s impressive second-half performance against New Zealand is enough to unseat Rogers at No. 10. Tuchel has preferred Rogers thus far, appreciating the 23-year-old’s counter-pressing and connectivity. However, it raises concerns that the partnership between Bellingham and Kane has yet to flourish under Tuchel. They have only played together four times since his appointment, combining for just one goal in 38 appearances for England.
Are Bellingham and Kane in sync? This remains a challenge for Tuchel to navigate. The prospect of Bellingham sitting out against Croatia seems unlikely. The match against Costa Rica offers a chance to assess whether the attacking balance with Kane and Bellingham is effective.
Tuchel understands the importance of having impactful attackers. The data indicates that England has leaned increasingly on Kane’s goals since Southgate’s exit. Eventually, someone else must rise to the occasion, and amid all the chatter surrounding Tuchel’s strategies, Bellingham appears well-positioned to seize the moment.
