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  "path": "/2026/06/25/former-england-coach-tells-thomas-tuchel-drop-anthony-gordon-unexpected-player-28921745/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-25T12:46:06.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Anthony Gordon",
    "England men's football team",
    "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink",
    "Morgan Rogers",
    "Thomas Tuchel",
    "World Cup",
    "England",
    "Declan Rice",
    "Sign up",
    "Noni Madueke",
    "Ghana",
    "Reece James",
    "Ezri Konsa",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Anthony Gordon has been underwhelming so far at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nEngland boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to make changes for the final group game against Panama on Saturday, but what they will be is far from clear.\n\nThe Three Lions are on four points after two matches, so have already booked their spot in the knockout stages, but need to win to guarantee top spot in the group.\n\nDespite a win being important, it is possible that the likes of Reece James and Declan Rice could be rested as Tuchel manages their minutes over the tournament.\n\nThere are also players who have started the first two games who are being challenged by those who have been on the bench.\n\n##  Don't miss a World Cup moment\n\n(Picture: Getty)\n\n\nWe're witnessing history at this World Cup – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up.\n\nAnthony Gordon and Noni Madueke are under pressure on the wings, with neither managing to make a breakthrough in the goalless draw against Ghana.\n\nGordon also had an extremely quiet game in the opener against Croatia and there are calls for the new Barcelona signing to be dropped.\n\nMarcus Rashford would be the favourite to replace Gordon on the left wing, but former England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants to see another player given the nod.\n\nMorgan Rogers is capable of playing on the left (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nMorgan Rogers is chiefly in the squad to compete with Jude Bellingham for the no.10 spot, but Hasselbaink fancies the Aston Villa star on the left flank.\n\nNaming his team for the Panama game, the Dutchman told talkSPORT: ‘[Jordan] Pickford, [Nico] O’Reilly, I’m going to give Reece James a rest because I want him to be ready for the next match. Who am I playing at right-back? [Djed] Spence. [Marc] Guehi and Ezri Konsa.\n\n‘I’ll need to give [Bukayo] Saka some minutes. I would play Rogers on the left. I would play [Jude] Bellingham, rest Declan [Rice], I’m looking after Declan. [Elliot] Anderson and Kobbie [Mainoo]. I’m not dropping Harry [Kane].’\n\nKobbie Mainoo may be drafted in to rest Declan Rice (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nFormer Three Lions striker Darren Bent agreed with Hasselbaink’s back four, but opted for a different midfield and front three.\n\nHe said: ‘Pickford, Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Rogers, left Rashford, right Saka, Kane down the middle.’\n\nTuchel has already suggested that the Panama game will be the first start of the tournament for Saka, who has come on in the first two matches.\n\nThe Arsenal star has been dealing with an Achilles issue, but is getting closer and closer to being available from the start.\n\nSaka has come off the bench in both of England’s games (Picture: Getty Images)\n\n‘He seems to be more and more ready, and will hopefully push, and then we will see what is coming,’ Tuchel said of Saka after the Ghana draw.\n\n‘He’s getting there, he has more and more training sessions, so he needs to have more sessions now, two sessions, to be ready for Panama.\n\n‘But Noni tried everything and he did well as well, so it’s not only about Bukayo but it’s good when he’s back.\n\n‘Today he got some minutes under his belt. Hopefully there is no reaction and he is good to go.’\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Former England coach tells Thomas Tuchel to drop Anthony Gordon for unexpected player"
}