The unexpected absence of Tino Livramento, ruled out of the World Cup due to a thigh injury, has complicated matters for Thomas Tuchel, who is faced with crucial decisions regarding England’s starting eleven for their opener against Croatia. The German coach is preparing for the debut of Group L this Wednesday at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and only a few final details remain to be ironed out before determining the lineup that will aim to start the tournament with a victory against a well-known opponent for the English.
Livramento, the right-back for Newcastle, sustained an injury during training and was immediately sidelined from the tournament, forcing Tuchel to make changes to the defensive line. Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to replace Livramento, but will only join the team after the opening match. Thus, Chelsea’s Reece James is expected to take the right-back position against the Croatians, a situation that fans and observers had already anticipated. Another hot topic concerns the number 10 position, where the battle between Jude Bellingham, star of Real Madrid, and Morgan Rogers, who gained prominence during the qualifiers, promises to remain fierce until the opening whistle.
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Tuchel, who last week stated that he had “14 or 15 starters,” is forced to make last-minute decisions due to the high quality and depth of the squad. “I still have a few positions open, but I know that any choice will always be of a high level,” said the German coach after the friendly match against Costa Rica, where England convincingly won 3-0 in Orlando. All indications suggest that the lineup from that game will serve as the foundation for the clash with Croatia, with Bellingham starting ahead of Rogers to take on the role of offensive playmaker.
On the left flank, [Marcus Rashford](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/arsenal-pode-avancar-para-rashford-gracas-a-clausula-de-rescisao-exclusiva/), on loan from [Manchester United](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/mbappe-faz-historia-no-metlife-e-ronaldo-inicia-ultima-oportunidade-no-mundial/) to Barcelona, faces direct competition from [Anthony Gordon](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/newcastle-fixa-preco-de-100-milhoes-por-sandro-tonali-no-mercado-de-verao/), who switched from Newcastle to the Catalan club this summer. Rashford’s contractual situation, with uncertainty over whether Barcelona will pursue a permanent signing, adds an extra layer to this competition. The uncertainty looms, and Tuchel maintains the suspense: “Both have shown great quality. It will be a difficult choice, but I have complete confidence in who to start,” he stated at the pre-match press conference.
In the defensive axis, the indecision remains between Marc Guehi, John Stones, and Ezri Konsa, with two spots available for three candidates. Despite many betting on Guehi as a sure presence, it was Konsa and Stones who were chosen to start the friendly against Costa Rica, a clear indication of the doubts that persist in the coach’s mind. The range of options also allows Tuchel to consider substitutes, as the new regulation permits five substitutions, and the German is a proponent of the theory of “finishers” coming off the bench to impact the game.
England’s debut in this group stage is seen as crucial for the team’s aspirations, not only due to the quality of Croatia, a consistently challenging opponent, but also because of the psychological weight of a victorious start in a World Cup. A win could place additional pressure on Italy and Senegal, the other members of the group, and provide room for potential rotations in the following matches. On the other hand, a setback could force Tuchel into drastic changes and reconsider his options for the upcoming encounters.
With the controversial absence of Livramento, the rise of Bellingham, and the duel between Rashford and Gordon, the England squad arrives at this debut surrounded by expectation, but also with renewed confidence in the quality of their roster. Bellingham himself, when questioned about a possible starting position, did not hide his ambition: “I want to play and help England win. We are ready for any challenge,” assured the Real Madrid midfielder after Monday’s training.
The match against Croatia thus represents a true test of the pulse of England under Tuchel, who is betting on a blend of youth and experience to achieve the World Cup dream. The coming days will be crucial to clarify the final doubts, but one thing is certain: the battle for a starting position is fierce, and no place is guaranteed until the initial whistle.
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