Thomas Tuchel has singled out England captain Harry Kane for praise following the 2-0 win over Serbia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Kane began the match at Wembley and was handed a rest within the sixty fifth minute, as Tuchel replaced him with Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
In his post-match press conference, Tuchel was quizzed if Foden could challenge Kane to begin ‘essential games’ for England going forward.
Tuchel admitted that it was a ‘big ask’ for Foden provided that Kane is ‘uncontrolled’ and ‘out of this world’ in several key areas.
‘It’s an enormous ask for [Phil Foden] to challenge Harry [Kane] in the meanwhile,’ Tuchel said.
‘[Kane is] in the form of his life. His attitude, work rate, quality and ending ratio is just uncontrolled [and] out of this world.’
Kane has been in incredible form at club level for Bayern Munich this season, conjuring up 23 goals and three assists across 17 matches.
Metro on the Match: Three Lions ease to victory
Evaluation from Metro‘s Ben Fleming at Wembley as England maintain their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying with a win over Serbia.
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Rashford fails to take opportunity in Gordon’s absence
A hip injury to Anthony Gordon afforded Marcus Rashford a likelihood to play from the beginning, however the Barcelona loanee largely did not reveal why he should replace the Newcastle winger as Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice on the left wing.
The 28-year-old saw loads of the ball but was poor in his decision-making and wasteful together with his ending before being withdrawn shortly after the hour mark for Eberechi Eze.
Rice and Anderson cement partnership as Wharton watches on
Elliot Anderson was not fully fit coming into this camp, nevertheless it shows his importance to this England side that Declan Rice was brought off before the Nottingham Forest midfielder within the second half.
Anderson and Rice’s relationship continues to go from strength to strength in the midst of the park, which will likely be of little consolation to Adam Wharton, who was only afforded a temporary cameo on his return to the England set-up.
Tuchel explains why Rogers began over Bellingham
Meanwhile, in an interview with the BBC, Tuchel has explained why Morgan Rogers began over Jude Bellingham against Serbia.
‘It’s normal,’ Tuchel said. ‘They compete in the meanwhile for a similar position they usually’re still friends.
‘They’re very respectful with one another and like one another. Morgan deserved to remain on the pitch because he had three unbelievable performances with him and second of all we didn’t know what was coming, if our plan was right with the high press.
‘It might be unfair for Jude to try figure the whole lot out because we modified our way of pressing within the last two camps.
‘Declan [Rice], Morgan [Ropers] and Harry [Kane] did it already in three-four matches together.
‘I figured they might adapt a bit quicker. Once we see the formation we may give clear instructions to Phil and Jude and convey them from the bench.’
Tuchel praises England defenders
Speaking more generally about England’s win over Serbia, Tuchel added: ‘It was difficult – sometimes a bit too open, sometimes we needed to defend with the whole lot we had.
‘Compliments to the back 4. They’d to work hard and be focused on a regular basis.
‘Serbia has individual qualities and can be a physical team. They got here with a brand new energy, so well done.’
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