Thomas Tuchel adds jeopardy to England dead-rubbers ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

November games against Serbia and Albania have high stakes for players fighting for World Cup spot

England players have been wearing special shoes this week to aid their focus, but nothing will sharpen minds more than Thomas Tuchel’s words.

The England boss has, for example, ruled out Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden all starting together in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

Instead, at least one of them will have to settle for a spot on the bench, starting with Thursday’s clash against Serbia at Wembley.

Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are in a fight to be England No10

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“We will always do what's best for balance and we will try to keep the clarity, even if means that we have to take tough decisions,” he said. “We take tough decisions in any camp, and this will not change when we go to a tournament.”

England have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup, which means the Serbia game, and Sunday’s trip to Albania, are essentially dead rubbers.

The Three Lions will have two friendlies next March and, in essence, Tuchel has four games with no jeopardy before picking his World Cup squad.

That may be the case externally, but internally the fight for places means there is plenty riding on these final four matches.

Tuchel talked that up on Wednesday, highlighting the “friendly competition” that will now take place between Bellingham and Rogers for the No10 spot.

Rogers has the shirt right now after starting the last three games and catching the eye with his performances.

A hamstring niggle makes Rogers a doubt for tonight’s game, but he will be desperate to play and not open the door for Bellingham.

The No10 spot in Tuchel’s team feels like the most hotly contested position, but other places are up for grabs too.

The whole left flank, in particular, feels uncertain. Left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly was omitted from this squad, while winger Anthony Gordon had to pull out due to injury.

Djed Spence has an opportunity to steal a march on Lewis-Skelly, and Rashford could stake his claim ahead of Gordon if he can continue the form he has shown for Barcelona.

All that competition should lend itself to Tuchel’s side aiming to put on a show.

Tuchel hit out at the atmosphere during England’s last match at Wembley - a 3-0 win over Wales - and it is easy to see how it could be flat against Serbia, given nothing is on the line.

That is why the England boss has stressed how the onus is on his players to entertain.

“Of course I want the atmosphere to be like Boca versus River Plate, but we will not have the same tension in the dressing room before the match,” said Tuchel.

“It’s not the World Cup. It’s not the semi-final or the first group match and the crowd knows it as well.

“We accept it will be different and try, still, to get the spark and inspire them and present ourselves that it’s a nice watch.”