The winners and losers from England’s September games | OneFootball

England concluded their September internationals with back-to-back wins to move closer to World Cup qualification.

After a laboured win over Andorra, Thomas Tuchel’s reign got lift-off with a stunning 5-0 success in Serbia. England are five from five in the group and yet to concede a goal.

Following the first international break of the campaign, we’ve picked out the winners and losers from the latest camp.

Elliot Anderson – Winner

Elliot Anderson made his England debut this month, and the Nottingham Forest midfielder looked instantly at home. After a man-of-the-match performance on debut against Andorra, Anderson was impressive again in the 5-0 win over Serbia to claim another best-on-ground award.

Anderson has started the season superbly for Forest, having excelled in England’s U-21 European Championship success in the summer. His introduction has brought balance to the Three Lions midfield, in a move that could bring the best from Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. The shirt is his to lose.

Eberechi Eze – Loser

Eze was unable to take his chance despite the absence of Bellingham and Cole Palmer from the squad. The Arsenal midfielder was quiet in the win over Andorra and watched on from the sidelines as Morgan Rogers starred in Serbia.

Given the competition for an attacking midfield role, Eze needed to take his chance this month. While he’s still likely to make a final squad, his audition for a more prominent position appears to have passed him by.

Noni Madueke – Winner

As Arsenal teammate Eze struggled to seize his chance, Noni Madueke showed how it’s done. England’s right flank position has largely been locked down by Bukayo Saka in recent years, but the latter’s recent injury saw Madueke make an impression in the role.

He was a positive performer in the dull win over Andorra, before scoring his first international goal after a lively outing against Serbia. Madueke has shut out the noise surrounding his move to Arsenal to prove he can shine on this stage.

Jarrod Bowen – Loser

Madueke’s performances limited Jarrod Bowen to cameo roles this camp, with the West Ham winger unable to stand out.

With Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka still to return, Bowen is running out of time to convince Tuchel despite his continued excellence at club level.

Marc Guehi – Winner

If Marc Guehi had not cemented his starting role with England before this month, the Crystal Palace captain has now. Two more assured displays from Guehi helped England to consecutive clean sheets, while the 24-year-old added a goal and an assist against Serbia.

The question now for Tuchel will be who partners the centre-back at next summer’s tournament.

Adam Wharton – Loser

Wharton’s withdrawal from the squad could hinder hopes of a place on the plane next summer. Despite the clamours for inclusion, Wharton is yet to add to his solitary England cap amid injury issues. In his absence, the aforementioned Anderson shone, making the Nottingham Forest midfielder the frontrunner for the number six role.

Reece James – Winner

Reece James’s talent has never been in question. Getting the Chelsea captain on the pitch consistently, however, has been problematic. The 25-year-old has now started each of England’s last four qualifiers and looks to have claimed the right-back role.

A brilliant cross set up Declan Rice for the second against Andorra, while Serbia struggled to live with him for large periods in Belgrade. Former Chelsea boss Tuchel knows better than most what James is capable of.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Loser

A headline omission from the squad after a mixed start at Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold watched on as James impressed in England’s right-back role. For all his attributes and game-changing quality, Tuchel is the latest England manager yet to fully trust the 26-year-old at international level. There’s work to be done to get back into the side.

Read – The biggest shock results of the international break

See more – Five Premier League players who shone in the international break

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