Harry Kane\u2019s new rival for the status of England\u2019s most-important player isn\u2019t the star we thought it might be before the World Cup\u2026<\/p>\n
The Three Lions have navigated their way to the quarter-finals, with some players enhancing their status and others slipping.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how we assessed Thomas Tuchel\u2019s squad before the World Cup<\/a><\/strong> kicked off, and here\u2019s where we are now\u2026<\/p>\n 26) James Trafford (26)<\/p>\n Last place is always going to belong to the no.3 goalkeeper, even in the company of the silly bollocks<\/strong><\/a> at 25\u2026<\/p>\n 25) Jordan Henderson (16)<\/p>\n Even for the perma-busy Henderson, getting booked and suffering a tournament-ending injury<\/strong><\/a> in a game he played no part was really something. Now limited to the cheerleader role that was already a large part of his World Cup brief.<\/p>\n 24) Kobbie Mainoo (21)<\/p>\n Henderson will probably play in a sling before Mainoo gets minutes at this World Cup.<\/p>\n 23) Dean Henderson<\/p>\n Henderson\u2019s best hope of action is some token minutes in a third-place play-off that no one wants to watch or play.<\/p>\n 22) Trevoh Chalobah (25)<\/p>\n Called up as a replacement for injured backup right-back Tino Livramento<\/strong><\/a> but even when Ezri Konsa was out on his feet against Mexico, Chalobah stayed in reserve. Just a very odd call-up.<\/p>\n 21) Jarell Quansah (24)<\/p>\n Quansah is no use to Tuchel this week after his red card against Mexico. Unless King Charles gets on the blower to one of the world\u2019s worst people<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n 20) Dan Burn (22)<\/p>\n \u2018Could be important in later stages when Tuchel has given up on everything else and England resort to chucking balls into the box for Burn to attack\u2019, we wrote pre-tournament. Swap out England for Mexico and we were right.<\/p>\n 19) Ivan Toney (19)<\/p>\n Tuchel didn\u2019t bring Toney in from the cold for nothing \u2013 he has plans for the Al-Ahli striker. Just none that start before the 119th minute.<\/p>\n 18) Ollie Watkins (20)<\/p>\n We assumed Watkins would be Kane\u2019s first stand-in but Bellingham is probably the no.9\u2019s primary replacement now, leaving the Villa striker hoping for a time that Tuchel needs two up top.<\/p>\n 17) Morgan Rogers (15)<\/p>\n Now seems crazy to think there was ever an actual debate over who starts as the 10 but Bellingham\u2019s versatility to play higher or deeper keeps Rogers on his toes.<\/p>\n 16) Marcus Rashford (13)<\/p>\n Gordon started as first-choice, then Rashford seized the initiative, but just as quickly relinquished it. Gordon\u2019s outstanding display against Mexico is likely to see Rashford limited to cameos from here on in.<\/p>\n 15) Eberechi Eze (18)<\/p>\n We assumed the Arsenal midfielder wasn\u2019t in the top two picks for any position, but Tuchel has turned to Eze twice when England needed inspiration against Ghana and Congo, and again when he saw the chance to give Bellingham a rest against Panama, so what do we know?<\/p>\n 14) Reece James (10)<\/p>\n The most cursed of Tuchel\u2019s right-backs<\/a><\/strong>, misfortune that goes back way before the World Cup, which makes the manager\u2019s gambles in that position all the more baffling. At this point, we don\u2019t know what role James is capable of playing \u2013 does he? \u2013 which is sub-optimal three games from glory.<\/p>\n 13) Noni Madueke (14)<\/p>\n Bukayo Saka\u2019s stand-in has been more prominent than any of us wished, which is no slight against Madueke. At least he sussed against Congo that it is possible to go on the outside, which could be important as the Arsenal winger will be needed again for sure.<\/p>\n 12) Djed Spence (17)<\/p>\n Spurs\u2019 second-choice left-back may once again be England\u2019s first-choice right-back going into the quarter-final. Which still feels like a massive oversight on the part of the manager, who has had to use Spence probably more than he would have wished.<\/p>\n MORE: England player ratings as Pickford, Bellingham and subs shine in ludicrous win over Mexico<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 11) Ezri Konsa (8)<\/p>\n Konsa is the only centre-back to start all England\u2019s games but probably now the most vulnerable before Norway. For reasons still unknown, the Villa defender has been the least convincing presence in the backline.<\/p>\n 10) John Stones (7)<\/p>\n Stones started the first game against Croatia but looked as rusty as you might expect of a player with so few minutes last season. The free agent was outstanding when he came on against Mexico, giving him the opportunity to stake a claim for a recall against Norway. Is it best to pair two defenders \u2013 Guehi and Stones \u2013 who know Haaland better than most?<\/p>\n 9) Anthony Gordon (12)<\/p>\n Mexico was Gordon\u2019s breakout performance after losing his place to Rashford, which he only won back after two very simple assists as a sub against Congo. The Barca new boy\u2019s performance at the Azteca put clear daylight between him and Rashford.<\/p>\n 8) Marc Guehi (9)<\/p>\n Guehi is back to where we wrongly thought he was before the start of the tournament, as the first-choice centre-back. The City defender started the tournament on the bench \u2013 seemingly because he\u2019s the shortest \u2013 and came in for Stones after too much chaos against Croatia. Guehi hardly brought much calm, but he\u2019s doing enough to retain his place while Konsa sweats.<\/p>\n 7) Nico O\u2019Reilly (11)<\/p>\n At left-back, O\u2019Reilly offers a certainty sorely lacking across on the right side of Tuchel\u2019s defence. And a goalscoring threat, having hit the woodwork now in successive matches. The most secure of his place in the back four?<\/p>\n 6) Elliot Anderson (6)<\/p>\n Against the nations England have been expected to beat, Anderson and his midfield mate Rice have looked a little unsure of their priorities from game to game. Both, though, were outstanding against Mexico when the brief was clearer, as it should be from here on in against teams obliged to attack. In any case, Tuchel is hardly likely drop either for Mainoo.<\/p>\n MORE: World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: Norway or England in the semis?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 5) Bukayo Saka (5)<\/p>\n The Arsenal winger is very clearly not himself while he tries to play through an Achilles injury. If he starts, he won\u2019t finish, so is it best to hold him back if needed off the bench for a late boost? Assuming he\u2019s fit enough to deliver one.<\/p>\n 4) Declan Rice (2)<\/p>\n Rice is obviously running on fumes, which means we\u2019re only seeing snippets of the marauding midfielder\u2019s best qualities, but he remains the glue that holds Tuchel\u2019s team together \u2013 even when he has to do a stint at right-back. Just three more trips to the hurt locker for three weeks on a beach.<\/p>\n 3) Jordan Pickford (3)<\/p>\n