u/MaxFootballTalk

Been going back and forth on this one but I think it’s pretty clear cut. Against a low block, which DR Congo are almost certainly setting up as, Bellingham as an 8 makes way more sense than as a 10.

He showed it against Panama already. As an 8 he’s getting on the ball more, allowed to have much more space, and still has the legs to break beyond when the gap is there. Against a packed defence we need to give Bellingham as much time to have space on the ball, not just sitting in the pockets waiting for service that isn’t coming because there’s no space to receive it in behind.

Where I think he’s actually a 10 is against the better sides later in the tournament. Teams that won’t sit as deep, that’ll actually let the game open up. That’s where his instincts to find pockets between the lines and arrive late in the box become the priority over controlling possession. Different problem, different role.

For this game specifically I’d have Eze in the 10 instead. He’s better suited to that creative pocket against a low block, more comfortable taking players on in tight areas where Bellingham’s game is more about progressing the ball than beating a man one on one.

Also think Spence should start at right back over Quansah here. Want more pace and directness in behind a deep line, and Spence offers that overlap threat than Quansah. Better defender out wide as well.

Curious what people think, does Tuchel rotate? Feels like the kind of tournament where being flexible with roles like this could actually be the difference.

Went into more depth on this with examples in a video if anyone’s curious, mainly just want to hear if people agree on Bellingham’s best position changing depending on the opponent though: https://youtu.be/FZlHhFmBGLg

Been going through this one this morning. Panama are going to sit deep and make this hard, so if we just go again with the same approach from Croatia I think we struggle.

A few changes I’d make:

Rice off the bench. Not dropping him because he played badly, he didn’t really. But Tuchel came out after Croatia and said he had “unusual ball losses,” and the guy’s played something like 60+ games this season already between club and country. Panama is the easiest game on the schedule to manage that, so use it.

Bellingham into the 8. With Rice out you need someone who can still control the middle of the pitch. Bellingham dropping in gives you that, plus he can still get forward when there’s a gap to exploit.

Bench Gordon. Gordon’s best work comes in transition, running into space behind a high line. Panama won’t give him that. You need someone who can actually create something against a packed defence, not just run into space that isn’t there.

Leave Spence out.Not much needs to be said here. Nico a much better fit v low block.

Curious what people here think, is Tuchel actually going to make changes or just trust the same group that started the tournament well? Did a longer breakdown with examples on this if anyone’s interested, but mainly just want to hear what others think the right XI is here:
https://youtu.be/SZYCor2rQ7M

After watching England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, I came away feeling the biggest issue wasn’t the result itself, but how England tried to break down a deep defensive block.

For me, Bellingham isn’t a good 10 against low blocks, and I’d rather see him as the 8, driving forward from deeper areas and making late runs. Against a team sitting in, I think England needed a more technical, agile player operating as the 10.

Someone who can receive between the lines, turn quickly, and create separation in tight spaces.

I also thought Rashford could have been a better fit than Gordon in this game because of his technical quality in and around the box.

Ghana were always likely to defend deep and make the game ugly, but I don’t think England picked the right profile of players to unlock them.

Am I being harsh?

Who would you have started?

Full discussion here if anyone’s interested:
https://youtu.be/8pQEeVYwRbQ

Now that every team has played at least one game at the World Cup, who are your biggest dark horses?

Before the tournament started, I had a few outsiders in mind, but after seeing the first round of matches I’ve completely changed my thinking on a couple of teams.

Some nations have looked far more organised than expected, while others have shown they can genuinely trouble the favourites if they get the right draw.

I’ve put together a video breaking down the teams I think could shock people and make a deep run in the tournament.

Curious to know who everyone else has as their dark horse after week one.

https://youtu.be/yjr9toYzKKs

Been going through week one results and trying to work out who’s actually looking like genuine contenders versus who’s just been talked up before a ball was kicked.

Spain’s draw with Cape Verde was the biggest red flag for me. Germany’s seven goal win is hard to ignore but it’s one result against weaker opposition. Messi’s hat trick against Algeria says everything about Argentina’s ceiling even at 38.

My current order from this to that is Germany, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, England, then France at the top after how dominant they looked once Mbappe got going.

Put together a full breakdown here if anyone wants the longer version: https://youtu.be/tBV4Sg6bJ0E

Where would you have Spain after that result, still a top two team or has that draw changed things for you too?

Watched the England Croatia game back and the thing that stood out most was the halftime turnaround.

2-2 going in, looking shaky, lacking control in midfield. Comes out for the second half and we’re a completely different team. Passing down the channels, using our pace, so much more composure on the ball. Bellingham scores seconds into the half and you could just tell the belief had been installed during that break.

It got me thinking about Southgate. Genuinely don’t think he makes that adjustment at halftime. His tournament football was always more about managing a lead or grinding out a result rather than actively changing how the team plays mid game.

This is exactly the kind of in game management people wanted when they brought Tuchel in. Curious what others think, does this England side look different to the past England teams who fail to get over the line?

Broke it down properly here if anyone wants the full reaction: https://youtu.be/1jf8irTyEeI

Kickoff s tonight and I think this game comes down to two specific battles.

Rice against Modric in midfield. If Rice can shut down Modric’s influence England control the game. If Modric gets time and space at 40 years old he still picks teams apart.

Then Saka (if he’s fit) against whoever Croatia put at left back. Saka hasn’t had the smoothest end to his season but if he’s anywhere near his best Croatia’s right side could be exposed all night.

Croatia’s whole approach under Dalic is built on being incredibly difficult to break down through structure and experience rather than individual quality. England have the better players on paper but Croatia have beaten bigger nations before by frustrating them into mistakes.

Curious what you guys thinks the key tactical battle is tonight.

Made a fuller breakdown here if anyone’s interested: https://youtu.be/n04Wn8M6uG4?si=5IFIU-2oSWioWM2W

Been thinking about this a lot ahead of the Croatia game tomorrow.

Everyone debates whether Bellingham should start but I think the bigger question is where he plays. I’ve always seen him as a number 8 rather than a 10.

At Real Madrid he makes late runs, arrives in the box, wins the ball back. That is a box to box midfielder not a classic 10.

Yet England keep playing him in the 10 role and asking him to do something he doesn’t naturally do at club level.

Curious what this community thinks, is Bellingham genuinely a 8 or a 10? Does it change how you’d use him for England?

Made a video breaking this down if anyone wants to check it out: https://youtu.be/dQUYClA-AUg

With Croatia just three days away I’ve been thinking about what success actually looks like for England under Tuchel.

He’s done things no England manager has done in years. Perfect qualifying record, nine wins from ten, zero goals conceded. But if England go out early does that mean he should go?

I think semi finals is the minimum. Anything less is a failure. But after the way we treated Southgate despite reaching two finals, do we even have the right to sack him?

Made a video giving my honest take, would love to know what you think. What result would make you want Tuchel out?

https://youtu.be/3eIblply76s

The World Cup is basically the biggest transfer window in disguise. One good tournament and your entire career changes overnight.

Been watching a lot of the build up and put together my picks for the players who could be playing for a much bigger club by August. Some of them you’ll know, some you probably won’t.

Would love to know who you think earns the biggest move this summer, any players I’ve missed?

https://youtu.be/KrGRJ8C7Dys?si=cNqYyVL8lg11Tc7L