Bukayo Saka, the best attacking player for the Premier League champions. Morgan Rogers, an elite No 10 who some believed should start over Jude Bellingham. Marcus Rashford, somehow the forgotten man of England’s attack over the last two years who is the second highest goalscorer in this squad.
Those were the three players introduced by Thomas Tuchel after 72 minutes. Within 15 minutes, two had combined majestically to kill the contest and fire up England’s World Cup campaign. It’s go time – and it might just be piping hot fun.
Tuchel has always implied that he does not wish to throw the baby out with the bathwater kept warm by his predecessor. Gareth Southgate was big on the notion of “starters and finishers”. So is the new guy.
It’s one of those management speak phrases that provides a coach with an easy escape from perilous press conference questioning. Nobody is dropped to the bench because there is no hierarchy. I love them all equally. We’re all just starters and finishers, man.
It’s also entirely appropriate. The conditions of this World Cup are unique: the heat, the travel, the workload on players in the domestic season that never seems to relent. The best starting XI may well win this World Cup, but I reckon the deepest squad has the better chance.
