With the World Cup just around the corner, England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel has some big calls to make in midfield. This week, he’ll be judging the big men: Anderson, Wharton, and Scott. He’s curious to see who’s best able to mesh with Declan Rice and take on a more attacking role alongside. The findings of this assessment will be key as England looks ahead to the tournament next summer.
Tuchel’s grand plan includes using Declan Rice more advanced, meaning he needs a dependable figure in a sitting midfield role. The four main candidates in the running—Anderson, Scott, Jordan Henderson, and Adam Wharton—each have something different to offer the squad. With so much new competition for places, their form in training and in a few friendly outings will be critical to Tuchel’s selection policy.
Scott has plenty of experience playing in a deeper role, having developed his craft at both Bournemouth and Bristol City. His stats prove he’s good at defending, showing that he knows when to calm down and go play some defense. Scott clearly understands that and excels in some key metrics. He beats Anderson on duels won, tackles won and possession recovered in the attacking third. Further, he is a leader in interceptions, making him a tempting target for Tuchel.
In any case, Anderson is exceptional beyond his classical defensive stats. He has been the most progressive passer of the four midfielders so far. Yet his inclination to drift to England’s left flank could complicate matters for the Three Lions’ tactical structure. If Anderson is the choice, then Anderson will need to make sure he keeps balance in the midfield.
Wharton presents an interesting case as well. As a product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he was arguably Tuchel’s most natural No. 6. With his dazzling deep ball’s accuracy, he proved to accurately shred the enemy defenses. This special skill might end up being the most useful in close games where unlocking set defenses is a must.
Jordan Henderson and Wharton come in as the top two naturally deep-lying midfielders of the candidates. Both players have the tactical understanding and experience to do a good job of anchoring things down in the midfield. In a more intangible sense, Henderson’s leadership qualities make him a valuable option as a seasoned international player.
It’s sure to be Scott’s unpredictable, frenetic and acrobatic playing style that will separate him from the other finalists. To add to that, he shows an eagerness to go anywhere on the pitch, helping out during defensive and offensive phases of play. If he earns his first cap for England, he may be required to adopt a more disciplined approach defensively.
Now, as Tuchel ponders his selections, he is likely to carry four or five players in the central midfield to the World Cup. The battle between these artists will determine how England sets up in the middle. It will shape their prospects in international tournaments. Tuchel’s judgement in this week’s trip to Japan will decide who lines up alongside Rice on the pitch when it matters most.
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