Thomas Tuchel will be forced to navigate England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers without one of his stars, as Jude Bellingham is currently out of action.
The Three Lions have embarked on their “win at all costs” journey with Tuchel at the helm, but the UEFA Champions League-winning coach hasn’t yet done enough to convince the sceptical masses.
England won their first three World Cup qualifying fixtures, but performances and results have so far failed to manifest a distinct shift from the previous regime. In June, they followed up a flat 1–0 win over the lowly Andorra with a shocking 3–1 defeat at home to Senegal.
Tuchel’s side will be expected to cruise through the qualification campaign but it is not a schedule without some difficulties. The Three Lions face a particularly tricky assignment away to Serbia this month. Win in Belgrade next Tuesday and the Football Association will be thinking about travel plans across the Atlantic Ocean for next summer’s World Cup.
However, England will have to secure a result against Serbia without Bellingham, who is absent from Tuchel’s squad this month. Here’s why.
