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Finest England night leaves Tuchel with selection dilemmasTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can johnny blaze big assnot be playedMedia caption, 'It was teamwork in its purest form' - TuchelByPhil McNultyChief football writer in BelgradePublished9 September 20252006 CommentsThomas Tuchel spoke like a man who knew the best night of his England reign was coming from the moment he landed in Belgrade.The German heard questions about his methods after the dire World Cup qualifier win against Andorra on Saturday - a fourth successive competitive victory, but one that ended with thousands of supporters at Villa Park voting with their feet long before the end."I see what I see. I feel what I feel. I am convinced we will improve, then get better and better," said Tuchel before England's qualifier against Serbia.He echoed that message as he basked in the elation of Tuesday night's 5-0 triumph.Tuchel's side delivered on that promise - and then some - with a masterclass that swept Serbia aside in their own Belgrade fortress, the predicted hostile crowd silenced from virtually the first whistle by a performance of total domination.And, on what was the perfect night for Tuchel, he not only got the emphatic victory that puts England only five points away from World Cup qualification with three games left, he left Belgrade with the most pleasant of selection headaches to resolve.England finally showed attacking flair, doing it without Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka - regarded as certain starters by most observers. Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was also missing, as was Phil Foden, hoping to rebuild his international career through his Manchester City performances.In their absence, Noni Madueke excelled with a goal and a fine individual display. He has now made five goal contributions in nine England appearances.Elliot Anderson built on the good impression he made on his debut against Andorra, while Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers was an increasing influence, looking at home at this elite level.Bellingham is always regarded the natural for England's number 10 position, but Rogers staked his claim and showed Tuchel he has alternatives should he want to utilise them.Impressive England hit five in Serbia to maintain perfect startWhat Spence's England milestone means for MuslimsPublished5 days agoWho has 'cemented place'? England players ratedPublished5 days ago'This was the benchmark' - Tuchel praises 'statement victory'Published5 days agoTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMedia caption, England thrash Serbia 5-0 - reaction and analysisAnderson also received a highly complimentary review from Tuchel, with stats backing up the impact the Nottingham Forest midfielder has had while settling into international football.He completed 182 passes in his first two England appearances - 107 against Andorra and 75 in Serbia, the most by an England midfielder in his first two caps Opta has on record since August 2008.England's line-up had only four players with 25 caps or more, while four more were in single figures.It is only one game, but this was a huge lift for Tuchel and his approach. His time in charge has been a slow-burner, but England were on fire in Belgrade.It is something Tuchel's predecessors struggled with, especially Sven-Goran Eriksson, who picked established stars and shoehorned the biggest names into his team, some like Paul Scholes out of position on the left side, but failing to deliver success.Tuchel said: "I've kept repeating that we have had a brilliant camp. It is now up to me to make some decisions on positions but this is international football. These players proved a point every day in camp, and the team did it again with their performance."Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson enthused to BBC Radio 5 Live in Belgrade: "When you have big names missing the team then becomes the star. The team were united and there was a lot of cohesion."You run out of superlatives for England. Everything that Thomas Tuchel said what he wanted from his team they have followed it out to the nth degree. This was a highly impressive statement performance."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Madueke made his senior England debut in September 2024Tuchel said he used his first two England camps to learn, but from now on in camps three, four and five it would be about increasing competition, then narrowing down his squad.So no wonder England's head coach was beaming broadly as he departed his media briefing after the most satisfying display since he succeeded Gareth Southgate.England became the first side to score five goals in an away competitive match against Serbia.And they have now won eight competitive games in succession, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford keeping his seventh consecutive clean sheet.England stifled Serbia and the hosts failed to get any of their three shots on target, leaving Pickford without a save to make.England had 24 shots and 12 on target while they had 42 touches in the opposition box as Serbia recorded just four.Madueke and defensive pair Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scored their first England goals on a landmark night.The good news arrived in bundles for England and Tuchel.Tuchel could almost gorge himself on the food for thought this game offered him.England were warned the atmospheric Rajko Mitic Stadium would be hostile territory, with the players making the 240-metre walk down the arena's famous tunnel.Instead, England silenced Serbia's fans from the start, dominating possession, giving those expectant supporters no chance to turn up the volume.There were some unsavoury incidents. The game was stopped in the first half when green lasers were shone at Konsa, while there was an outbreak of fighting among the home fans in the second half, with some supporters protesting against Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic.Serbia and their feverish supporters were beaten from the moment captain Harry Kane put England ahead, the all-time record goalscorer showing there are still no serious contenders for his place with his 74th goal in 109 internationals, a remarkable record.No such problems for Tuchel and England, who delivered the sort of dazzling performance and statement victory their supporters have been waiting for since his appointment.The Team Selector cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.Who would you start for England?Select your best England XISelected formation: 4-3-3, Change formationChoose goalkeeperChoose right backChoose right centre backChoose left centre backChoose left backChoose right centre midfieldChoose centre midfieldChoose left centre midfieldChoose right wingChoose strikeChoose left wingRelated topicsFootballEngland Men's Football TeamComments can not be loadedTo load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browserCommentsJoin the conversationThese comments are now closed.2006 commentsShowLatestOldestHighest RatedMost RepliedLComment by LostmekecksintheGmex at 00:03 10 SepLostmekecksintheGmex00:03 10 SepI think Saka, Palmer, Bellingham have to prove themselves again this season. I wouldn't drop Madueke, Rogers or Anderson out unless there's a good reason to.Reply183393Show comment linksRemoved CommentMore replies (92)RComment by Ryan at 23:58 9 SepRyan23:58 9 SepSo yesterday McNulty writes an article about when was the last enjoyable England qualifier. Now he talks about the finest English night. Of anything sums up what's wrong and how fickle both him and the wider media is, it's this. Tuchel's a good manager and knows what he's doing. Anderson could be the missing midfielder player we've been looking forReply1560125Show comment linksAComment by awesome at 00:05 10 Sepawesome 00:05 10 Septo Ryan"So yesterday McNulty writes an article about when was the last enjoyable England qualifier. Now he talks about the finest English night. Of anything sums up what's wrong and how fickle both him and the wider media is, it's this. Tuchel's a good manager and knows what he's doing. Anderson could be the missing midfielder player we've been looking for"Were you reading my mind???Reply15422Show comment linksMore replies (94)DComment by Dont talk rubbish at 00:06 10 SepDont talk rubbish00:06 10 SepThere is no dilemma concerning Bellingham. His presence is negative. The England players look like more of a team without him. Keep him away from the squad.Reply1320218Show comment linksBComment by bdjf at 00:16 10 Sepbdjf00:16 10 Septo Dont talk rubbish"There is no dilemma concerning Bellingham. His presence is negative. The England players look like more of a team without him. Keep him away from the squad."I see that's the thing everyone will shake their fists at now they can't whinge about England's performanceReply22231Show comment linksMore replies (64)DComment by DJH1962 at 00:02 10 SepDJH196200:02 10 SepIf Tuchal picks players on form and not on reputation and plays them in the positions they play for their clubs then he'll do for me.Reply100114Show comment linksCComment by Cynical Sid at 00:23 10 SepCynical Sid00:23 10 Septo DJH1962"If Tuchal picks players on form and not on reputation and plays them in the positions they play for their clubs then he'll do for me."You should be in Berlin tonight, singing with the rest of us ?? ?? ?? ??Reply25122Show comment linksMore replies (31)MComment by MustardTrumpetTurtle at 00:05 10 SepMustardTrumpetTurtle00:05 10 SepThis wasn’t just five goals in Belgrade, it was Tuchel’s England finally playing with a blueprint: pressing sharply, purposeful midfield rotation in possession, and defence squeezing space. For once, talent looked like a team. The real test is consistency—turning a sugar rush into a habit. If he bottles that, the only thing England fans will boo is the bar running out of beer.Reply79924Show comment linksJComment by JollyGoodFella at 00:20 10 SepJollyGoodFella00:20 10 Septo MustardTrumpetTurtle"This wasn’t just five goals in Belgrade, it was Tuchel’s England finally playing with a blueprint: pressing sharply, purposeful midfield rotation in possession, and defence squeezing space. For once, talent looked like a team. The real test is consistency—turning a sugar rush into a habit. If he bottles that, the only thing England fans will boo is the bar running out of beer."????????Reply7710Show comment linksMore replies (29)LComment by LCGAHM at 00:14 10 SepLCGAHM00:14 10 SepBellingham and Foden were not missed. We look more of a team without them! Really unselfish from Rogers, Maduke and Gordon behind Kane. No ego!Reply72617Show comment linksTComment by troy at 00:19 10 Septroy00:19 10 Septo LCGAHM"Bellingham and Foden were not missed. We look more of a team without them! Really unselfish from Rogers, Maduke and Gordon behind Kane. No ego!"Gordon is not good enough, need Grealish or Eze. Even Rashford is better than Gordon.Reply246749Show comment linksMore replies (46)HComment by HappyBill at 23:51 9 SepHappyBill23:51 9 SepLet these guys keep their places. They showed more drive energy and determination. As a Scot I’d say thats the most exciting English reamI've seen in a couple of years.Reply60917Show comment linksPComment by Paul at 00:05 10 SepPaul00:05 10 Septo HappyBill"Let these guys keep their places. They showed more drive energy and determination. As a Scot I’d say thats the most exciting English ream I've seen in a couple of years."Fair play on your comment. As an England fan, I've enjoyed watching Scotland recently. Wales and NI too. Even more than my own team at times!Reply24025Show comment linksMore replies (16)TComment by the judge at 23:59 9 Septhe judge23:59 9 SepLeave Bellingham out. Better team without him. Problem comes from shoehorning him in.Reply55761Show comment linksJComment by jezzer64 at 00:03 10 Sepjezzer6400:03 10 Septo the judge"Leave Bellingham out. Better team without him. Problem comes from shoehorning him in."TotallyReply16718Show comment linksMore replies (13)IComment by isle of wight at 23:49 9 Sepisle of wight23:49 9 SepGuehi and Konsa were immense.Reply43513Show comment linksCComment by Cynical Sid at 00:55 10 SepCynical Sid00:55 10 Septo isle of wight"Guehi and Konsa were immense."Supposed to defend, that's the criteria, they didn't do anything stupid ?? not yet. Please don't get carried awayReply35149Show comment linksMore replies (13)PComment by philip mccarthy at 01:12 10 Sepphilip mccarthy01:12 10 SepBellingham shouldn't be an automatic pick when he comes back from his surgery. He was ordinary in his 2nd season at Madrid and has been a passenger in a lot of his England games.Reply35620Show comment linksMComment by Merlin at 03:00 10 SepMerlin03:00 10 Septo philip mccarthy"Bellingham shouldn't be an automatic pick when he comes back from his surgery. He was ordinary in his 2nd season at Madrid and has been a passenger in a lot of his England games."Esp. as there are several quality replacements in his position. Due to the lack of fit quality strikers, it might be worth a gamble to just take Kane to make room for e.g., GrealishReply3189Show comment linksMore replies (8)DComment by Danny Doyle at 00:11 10 SepDanny Doyle00:11 10 SepHopefully the penny will drop with Tuchel that international football success is often a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.Reply28423Show comment linksDComment by Dean at 00:13 10 SepDean00:13 10 Septo Danny Doyle"Hopefully the penny will drop with Tuchel that international football success is often a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts."Perhaps you can text him to let him know.Reply13226Show comment linksMore replies (18)JComment by Jerry at 00:02 10 SepJerry 00:02 10 SepMuch much better tonight. Stick with this line up... much more free flowing and dynamic. Bellingham so overratedReply26247Show comment linksTComment by troy at 00:06 10 Septroy00:06 10 Septo Jerry "Much much better tonight. Stick with this line up... much more free flowing and dynamic. Bellingham so overrated"Hendo ? really?Reply16620Show comment linksMore replies (11)TComment by tommachine at 00:13 10 Septommachine00:13 10 SepI sort of agree with Paul Robinson. We looked like a proper well balanced team without trying to show horn some star names into unfamiliar positions imoReply2036Show comment linksLComment by LCGAHM at 00:16 10 SepLCGAHM00:16 10 Septo tommachine"I sort of agree with Paul Robinson. We looked like a proper well balanced team without trying to show horn some star names into unfamiliar positions imo"I like the sound of a show horn.Reply1306Show comment linksMore replies (10)JComment by JollyGoodFella at 00:01 10 SepJollyGoodFella00:01 10 SepRefreshing, solid, sincere performance. Superb skillful goals fromMadueke and Guehi!! Good headache for the manager to have such choices for most places and I hope he will not hesitate ditch/rotate underperforming players when they fail to deliver or simply having a bad day, a behaviour that costed us dearly before. Looking forward to seeing this new exciting brand of football.Reply1973Show comment linksCComment by Cynical Sid at 00:12 10 SepCynical Sid00:12 10 Septo JollyGoodFella"Refreshing, solid, sincere performance. Superb skillful goals fromMadueke and Guehi!! Good headache for the manager to have such choices for most places and I hope he will not hesitate ditch/rotate underperforming players when they fail to deliver or simply having a bad day, a behaviour that costed us dearly before. Looking forward to seeing this new exciting brand of football."Got the ticket booked ?? for the final then, ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??Reply9121Show comment linksMore replies (10)EComment by elmike at 23:59 9 Sepelmike23:59 9 SepIt took a bit to get started but that's the most free playing I've seen England in a while. You can question the opponents, question the team selection but this is a team playing without arguably their best player in Bellingham, against a physical team playing 5 at the back and winning 5 - 0 while tuchel is trying to find his best starting 11. Enjoy it.Reply1579Show comment linksJComment by jezzer64 at 00:01 10 Sepjezzer6400:01 10 Septo elmike"It took a bit to get started but that's the most free playing I've seen England in a while. You can question the opponents, question the team selection but this is a team playing without arguably their best player in Bellingham, against a physical team playing 5 at the back and winning 5 - 0 while tuchel is trying to find his best starting 11. Enjoy it."I don’t think Bellingham is our best player at all I wouldn’t even pick himReply28842Show comment linksMore replies (10)SComment by stevedd50 at 23:51 9 Sepstevedd5023:51 9 SepFantastic performance. Hopefully that will shut up the armchair experts saying we have gone backwards under Tuchel.Reply15224Show comment linksFComment by Ferdinand at 23:53 9 SepFerdinand 23:53 9 Septo stevedd50"Fantastic performance. Hopefully that will shut up the armchair experts saying we have gone backwards under Tuchel."Yeah, fair enough. It was a great win and a great performance.Reply684Show comment linksMore replies (26)AComment by Ally at 00:05 10 SepAlly00:05 10 SepThe players that have the shirt, keep the shirt. Until they do something wrong. So Bellamy, Palmer, Saka etc - you're on the bench lads until you change the game when coming on as sub. Then you keep the shirt. Onwards 'Turgid' England!Reply13616Show comment linksLComment by LCGAHM at 00:15 10 SepLCGAHM00:15 10 Septo Ally"The players that have the shirt, keep the shirt. Until they do something wrong. So Bellamy, Palmer, Saka etc - you're on the bench lads until you change the game when coming on as sub. Then you keep the shirt. Onwards 'Turgid' England!"Bellamy?Reply1294Show comment linksMore replies (18)DComment by Dougie Crozier at 00:38 10 SepDougie Crozier00:38 10 SepTuchels master stroke tonight was to bring Henderson on so the haters could still join in tonight's hysReply1057Show comment linksLComment by LuThe at 10:05 10 SepLuThe10:05 10 Septo Dougie Crozier"Tuchels master stroke tonight was to bring Henderson on so the haters could still join in tonight's hys"So much hate was directed at the selection of Henderson, how he was taking a squad space that could have gone to someone else. But did Tuchel even replace Stones after his withdrawal pre-Andorra? I didn't hear anyone screaming for xyz player to replace him.Henderson does a job that Tuchel appreciates. My guess is that's far more off the pitch than on it. Either way, back the manager.Reply417Show comment linksMore replies (3)PComment by Pondhopper at 23:54 9 SepPondhopper23:54 9 SepThe English FA wondering if they have the right manager now? Or are people going to say they got Tuchel because nobody else was brave (or stupid) enough to take on the *poison chalice* of the England Managers job? We know how the media loves to build them up and then gleefully rub their hands together when any manager fails in that job, irrespective of who they are.Reply901Show comment linksCComment by Cynical Sid at 01:10 10 SepCynical Sid01:10 10 Septo Pondhopper"The English FA wondering if they have the right manager now? Or are people going to say they got Tuchel because nobody else was brave (or stupid) enough to take on the *poison chalice* of the England Managers job? We know how the media loves to build them up and then gleefully rub their hands together when any manager fails in that job, irrespective of who they are."Sir Gareth hounded out and you really want this ? It's really appallingReply4124Show comment linksMore replies (7)SComment by steve millar at 00:19 10 Sepsteve millar00:19 10 SepHow fickle England fans are, a few days ago you were all saying he needed to go! (English man who is bored of international football)Reply6610Show comment linksWComment by Winners And Sinners at 01:52 10 SepWinners And Sinners01:52 10 Septo steve millar"How fickle England fans are, a few days ago you were all saying he needed to go! (English man who is bored of international football)"That is what fans generally do, regardless of the team or sport. One good win and the coach is god, one bad loss and he has to go. An on and on it goes.Reply974Show comment linksMore replies (12)More commentsBack to toploading comments module
