England head coach Thomas Tuchel used Phil Foden as a false nine with captain Harry Kane injured - an experiment that failed in defeat against Japan
Thomas Tuchel and his England team had a taste of what life would be like without Harry Kane as they slumped to a deserved defeat against Japan at Wembley.
On the evidence of this grim spectacle, the presence of the 32-year-old captain and record goalscorer will be the difference between failure and any chance of English success at this summer's World Cup.
Kane was absent from the team list against Japan after suffering "a minor issue in training". He was at Wembley but afforded the night off.
For now, the words "minor issue" are enough to send shudders through England and their followers.
