Thomas Tuchel has warned that Declan Rice faces genuine competition for his place in England’s midfield after Alex Scott marked his first international start with an outstanding display in the 7-0 away win against Croatia.
Rice withdrew from the camp for load management, having struggled with neural pain in his upper hamstring during the World Cup, and the vice-captain’s absence at the start of the Nations League campaign allowed Tuchel to broaden his options alongside Elliot Anderson. Scott took the opportunity, dominating the Croatia midfield with a performance full of energy, speed and quality on and off the ball.
It was only a second cap for the 23-year-old, who had also impressed after coming on against Czechia in Prague. Tuchel had added youth to his squad and enjoyed the competition between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Scott across the past fortnight. Lewis-Skelly did well after starting the 3-2 defeat by Spain and the 2-0 win against Czechia, but was outshone by Scott in Rijeka. The manager can feel a new England emerging after the pain of the World Cup defeat by Argentina, with the squad refreshed, and Scott’s excellence was one of many positives on an important night for Tuchel.
The head coach had already hinted that Rice’s position was not untouchable, using a question about Jordan Pickford’s status as the No 1 goalkeeper last Friday to suggest, unprompted, that the vice-captain does not necessarily have a guaranteed place in the team. Rice, who has helped England reach two major finals, remains part of Tuchel’s best XI.
Asked whether Rice would feel his place was under threat after watching Scott perform in Rijeka, Tuchel was pointed. “Of course, and he does, we need performances like this,” he said. “This is just the nature of it. We will not survive on two central midfielders. The more the better – and it’s always about the guys who are in camp.
“Declan knows about his importance, and he’s one of the very best midfielders in Europe. Nothing will change that. But it’s exactly what we need. We need more, more, more, more variety. We need more, more, more options. Then it’s always about the guys who are in camp. Alex was in the highest level.”
Anderson and Scott dominated the experienced pairing of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, building on the time they spent together when Lee Carsley’s under-21 side won the European Championship last year. “I guess it helps,” Tuchel said. “Not only as players but even in their character. They’re a good mix and match. Alex had a fantastic match, and we need to be strong in the middle of the pitch. I’m very happy with the level that Alex trained at.”
Scott was equally positive about the partnership. “We work really well together,” he said. “We saw that last year at the Euros and we’ve been speaking about it ever since, playing this midfield together. I love playing with Elliot. He makes life so easy for me. He’s one of the best midfielders in the world. We bounce off each other very well. We like getting on the ball, aggressive off the ball, we suit each other. Playing next to him is great and I know he enjoys it as well.”
Bournemouth were determined not to lose Scott last summer, with Arsenal asking about the former Bristol City player’s availability, Manchester United interested and Chelsea having multiple bids rejected. Tuchel now rates Scott among the best midfielders in England, an assessment that adds to the sense that leaving him out of the World Cup squad was a mistake. England lacked cover for Anderson and Rice, who made 69 appearances for club and country last season; Tuchel gave no minutes to Kobbie Mainoo and lost Jordan Henderson when the 36-year-old broke a wrist during the celebrations after the last-16 win against Mexico. Scott may well have ended Henderson’s hopes of a recall, and he refused to sulk after his omission, using the World Cup disappointment as motivation.
“It gave me more hunger but there’s so many top players for this country,” Scott said. “There was no bad feelings about not going to the World Cup. I went to the prep camp, I wanted to learn as much as I can and it helped me coming into this camp.”
The victory in Croatia keeps England in second place in their Nations League group, three points behind Spain and well placed to reach the quarter-finals in March. They close the extended international break at home against Czechia, where Harry Kane will expect to equal Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps. “They were good in the World Cup,” Tuchel said of Kane and Jude Bellingham. “They get better and better. They love playing with each other. They understand each other better.”
Tuchel could rotate for that game and has learned more about his squad, with the Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis added to the senior group. “The level, the attitude, from the bench is good,” he said. “Morgan Gibbs-White had a fantastic training week. Morgan Rogers got a goal. Eberechi Eze is good and is pushing. We need that.”