England’s three-week international break is finally at an end after four games against Spain, the Czech Republic, Croatia and the Czechs again.
Thomas Tuchel knows the Nations League is not where he will ultimately be judged. The pressure of these matches does not compare to those played in European Championships and World Cups.
Euro 2028 is what we are building towards, and so the likes of Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall are trying to show their worths before then. Spoiler alert: Gordon and Hall did in our eyes. Others did not quite seize their chances, however.
Tuchel will have learned more about some members of his squad. Indeed we all did, and here, Daily Mail Sport hands each England player a rating for his contribution throughout this break.
GOALKEEPERS
James Trafford, Leeds – 7/10
Two for you, two for me. Trafford got the first two games; an audition which began with facing a Spain side unbeaten in their last 38 matches and the reigning champions of Europe and the world. We can imagine him saying: ‘Er, thanks, boss.’ But Trafford handled it well. England lost 3-2, yet Tuchel’s defence was more to blame for that defeat than his goalkeeper. Trafford denied Ferran Torres and Co in that loss, then showed his alertness in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic before being rendered a spectator after Pavel Sulc’s red card. Overall impression was fine.
James Trafford (right) conceded three goals as England lost to Spain but wasn’t at fault
Jordan Pickford, Everton – 6/10
Came in to face Croatia from game three and watched from the comfort of the edge of his area as his attackers orchestrated a 7-0 victory while his goal was hardly ever threatened. Might as well have whipped a crossword out of his sock to keep himself busy in Rijeka. Could have completed a sudoku here at Wembley, too.
Jason Steele, Brighton – 5/10
What score to give the third-choice goalkeeper whose contribution was largely limited to bringing vibes behind the scenes? Straight down the middle. Five. Not good. Not bad. Just there in case he’s needed, his gloves kept behind a ‘Break Glass in Case of Emergency’ on the wall of the England changing room. They never saw any competitive action.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid – 7/10
Just when he was knocking on 500 days since his last England appearance, Alexander-Arnold started for the first time under Tuchel and marked it with a trademark swipe of his magic wand to set up Anthony Gordon. That gave Tuchel the opener versus the Czech Republic in game two. Whatever reservations may surround his defensive qualities – Tuchel seemed to suggest that was why he remained unused in the 3-2 loss to Spain – he showed his technical abilities against the Czechs in game two. Enough to earn another start versus them in game four.
Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his technical qualities during England’s win at Czech Republic
Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton – 5/10
Introduced as an 89th-minute substitute while England were trailing 3-2 to Spain. Unused against the Czech Republic and Croatia, with Ezri Konsa staying on while England led 7-0 in the latter. Konsa then had to withdraw from international duty. At least got something knocking on meaningful minutes in game four.
Trevoh Chalobah, Como – 5/10
Got his start against the Czech Republic, lining up next to his fellow Cobham alumni Marc Guehi and stopping the Czechs from scoring an opener with an excellent block to deny Sulc.
Marc Guehi, Manchester City – 5/10
Hard to overlook that error made inside two minutes against Spain. The type of mistake which would even get punished in League Two – kidding, kidding – but he did give the ball to Lamine Yamal to gift the Spaniards their lead. Did not look entirely secure when the Czechs had 11 men in game two. Better against Croatia in game three at least. Spent some time moving into Tuchel’s midfield throughout it all. Clearly a favourite of England’s manager; started every game.
Lewis Hall, Newcastle – 9/10
Quite the international break for Hall to show what he can do as England’s left back. His link-up with Gordon was particularly pleasing. Showed super stamina in getting up and down the left wing, overlapping and underlapping and joining in with attacks aplenty. Defensively sound, too. Made this position his own amid Nico O’Reilly’s injury issues. One of this break’s big winners.
Lewis Hall has been excellent during this international break and nailed down the left-back spot
Ezri Konsa, Arsenal – 5/10
Eventually joined the army of absentees, withdrawing and returning to Arsenal before the fourth and final game. Among those in the England defence who struggled to stop Spain. Not a great deal of defending to do when he then next started versus Croatia.
Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City – 4/10
Still only 21. A player full of potential. Quite possibly a big part of England’s future. But like his City team-mate Guehi, O’Reilly did make a mistake against Spain in his one and only appearance of this break. Then returned to City for further assessment.
Jarell Quansah, Bayer Leverkusen – 6/10
Tuchel’s starting right back against Spain. Good show against Croatia – could easily have fooled us into thinking it was Alexander-Arnold delivering that cross for Gordon’s diving header. Back to being a central defender for England’s final Nations League soiree with Czech Republic.
MIDFIELDERS
Elliot Anderson, Manchester City – 7/10
Not at his brilliant best versus Spain or the Czech Republic, but then we do like to hold him to a higher standard, knowing the performances he can produce from midfield. He was at the heart of England beating up Croatia, though. We absolutely adored his double one-two before setting up Harry Kane for the fifth of seven goals in that victory. Even the kiddos filling the seats in Rijeka must have appreciated that move. Started all four games in this break.
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid – 9/10
Just world class. One goal and four assists from this international break. Unfortunate to be on the losing side against Spain after setting up Gordon for his equaliser and then winning the penalty which Kane missed. Handed the captain’s armband when he replaced Kane against the Czechs in game two, underlining his importance to Tuchel. Everywhere on the pitch as England tormented Croatia, embarrassing their defenders’ futile efforts at stopping him.
Jude Bellingham underlined his importance to Thomas Tuchel with more world-class displays
James Garner, Everton – 6/10
Called up after England’s crop of withdrawals. Got 20 minutes against Spain, 20 against Croatia, 30 against the Czech Republic, and kept it all tidy enough. May have hoped for a start after Alex Scott’s withdrawal.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest – 6/10
Another who benefitted from England footballers dropping likes flies. Three times a substitute against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia, and introduced around the 80th minute in each of those, limiting his time. Got a little extra time versus the Czechs at Wembley at least, which he deserved.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal – 5/10
Was never going to be easy manning England’s midfield against Spain. Replaced at half-time versus the Czech Republic owing to carrying the risk of a yellow card and with England craving more creativity beside Anderson. Tidy enough player, but our socks remain on and unblown for now.
Alex Scott, Bournemouth – 8/10
Such a shame he had to withdraw, both for himself and for Bournemouth, who may rightly wonder whether England showed their best player the same level of protection provided to others. Scott won his first cap as a substitute against the Czech Republic, then excelled in the 7-0 thrashing of Croatia as a starter. However, we then learned he was playing through the pain of a quad injury. Now he faces two months on the sidelines and is set to miss next month’s Nations League matches, too. Maybe Scott himself should have listened to his body’s warning signs. But we knew how badly he wanted to represent his country, underlined by his decision to remain with Tuchel’s squad after the recent death of his grandfather. More caps will hopefully follow once fit again.
Alex Scott (left) was brilliant on his full England debut but now faces a lenghty spell out injured
FORWARDS
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds – 5/10
No shame in being second choice to Kane. He gets it, we get it. Calvert-Lewin came on in the 83rd minute against Spain, though he may have hoped for more of a chance in the matches when England were already leading. Replaced Kane for the final 10 minutes against the Czechs here.
Eberechi Eze, Arsenal – 5/10
Sent on at half-time to add to England’s attack against the Czech Republic in game two. A substitute versus Croatia, too. Started against the Czechs in game four and had some fun in that one in particular, showing the odd skill.
Anthony Gordon, Barcelona – 9/10
Consider us wowed. Quite the break for him; three goals and an assist which showed why he is now one of England’s standout stars. It was an excellent equaliser from a counter-attack which got us back in it against Spain. Bellingham helped Gordon with that one. That was rather funny, a Real Madrid player assisting a Barcelona player not for the Spanish but for the English. Gordon continued his form with goals against the Czechs and Croatia. The confidence is sky high.
Anthony Gordon (left) scored three goals and provided an assist with his confidence sky high
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich – 8/10
Before you go yelling at your screen for only awarding a score of eight, hear our workings. Kane did what Kane does. He scored again and again. But he will have been beating himself up for missing that penalty when England could have taken a 3-1 lead against Spain. That was our chance to beat the Spaniards, and instead we lost. So that was the only downside as he grabbed at least one goal in every game and equalled Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps. Ballon d’Or next, we hope.
Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool – 6/10
The unfortunate one who missed out on making the match-day squad versus Spain. Tuchel rewarded him with a substitute appearance against the Czech Republic – twice. Let’s remember: Ngumoha is 18 years old. No need to be in a rush with him.
Morgan Rogers, Chelsea – 7/10
While Cole Palmer stayed home, Chelsea can be proud of their player who did represent England. Rogers made his presence felt when playing. That included grabbing the seventh goal against Croatia, and becoming the 25th different player to assist Kane as Tuchel’s side took their 2-0 lead over the Czechs at Wembley. Oozed positivity in attack.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal – 5/10
Two goals for Saka from this international break, both coming when he completed the full 90 against Croatia. Otherwise there were quiet nights for the England winger who wasted the odd promising position with poor delivery or by turning backwards. While he had that one good game, we expect more from him.
Bukayo Saka (right) scored two goals for England but we still expect more from the star winger
MANAGER
Thomas Tuchel – 7/10
We can forgive and forget being beaten by Spain. Had Kane scored his penalty for a 3-1 lead, England may have ended their opponents’ remarkable run without losing. At least Tuchel had his team try to get at the Spanish. The same cannot be said for when we faced Argentina, after all. This break has been a positive one overall after the disappointment of the World Cup’s ending.
