Thomas Tuchel leaves misfiring England stars in no doubt with clear demand

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Thomas Tuchel is very clever in his messaging.

Last October, there was a strong warning to Marcus Rashford about needing to deliver on the pitch and the word potential was “dangerous in sport” when players do not live up to their billing. Since then, Rashford has worked hard, excelled and impressed Tuchel against Uruguay on Friday night with his work rate.

On Monday, on the eve of the Japan game, there was a more general message to the other forwards which made it clear this is a big night for England’s strike force. Tuchel said: “I love my players. I really love the quality of our players, especially the offensive players but the numbers, the pure numbers of our players on the wing and wherever – except for Harry – are not the outstanding numbers we would normally expect.

“So what is the reason for that? Is it according to the league that the defenders are so strong that it’s difficult and it’s difficult to score and assist.

“I would love them to have more numbers, meaning Bukayo, Noni, Ebs, Anthony Gordon, even Cole Palmer, even Morgan Rogers. Not Jude but Phil Foden. Who is producing, like Harry, these outstanding numbers? Who’s deciding games? It’s just a fact and tells me that we have to do it as a team.”

Kane is always excused from such general messages because his numbers for club and country speak for themselves. He is enjoying the season of his life and should be in any Ballon D’Or conversations.

But the likes of Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden will have taken notice ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Japan.

Tuchel named Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Ebrerechi Eze but they are out and Jude Bellingham was excused too because he will not play and has missed the last few weeks.

But for the rest, the spotlight is on. It is hard to imagine that Tuchel will take more than two wingers for each side. And the absolute maximum of three No.10s if you allow for one being able to play wide or as a false nine.

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If you do the maths then it really is quite simple: a big name will miss out. It feels as if it could be Foden or Palmer. Both of them might struggle to go.

Foden started against Uruguay but came off before the hour mark. He was scythed down but was probably coming off anyway. He has barely played at City and his season is one of frustration.

Palmer has been stop-start this season but has played well in the Champions League and looks to be one of the two - against Rashford - for the left.

Saka still looks favourite on the right. Then it is between Jarrod Bowen and Madueke for the other slot. Bellingham and Rogers are the leaders in the club house for the No.10 slots. Eze looks to be struggling perhaps, with that a role Palmer can also fill.

But this is all about numbers, a strong finish to the season - and impressing Tuchel against Japan who are ranked 19th in the world and are decent opponents who beat Scotland last weekend and Brazil not so long back.

Palmer surely gets a start but then if that is on the right in front of Ben White, does that work? But what about Rogers in the No.10? There will be some auditions and rotation but nowhere near as much of an experiment as against Uruguay.

This is the serious stuff now and Tuchel’s message was just as clear.

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