Tuchel says Alex Scott’s emergence gives England – and Rice – ‘high level’ competition

Thomas Tuchel warned that there is competition for Declan Rice’s place in England’s midfield after Alex Scott marked his first international start with an outstanding display during the 7-0 away win against Croatia. Rice, who struggled with neural pain in his upper hamstring during the World Cup, withdrew from the camp because of load management and the vice-captain’s absence at the start of the side’s Nations League campaign has allowed Tuchel to broaden his options alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield. England’s head coach has added youth to the squad and enjoyed the competition between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Scott during the past fortnight.

Lewis-Skelly did well after starting the 3-2 defeat by Spain and the 2-0 win against Czechia but the Arsenal midfielder was outshone by Scott, who partnered Anderson in Croatia and delivered a performance full of energy, speed and quality on and off the ball. It was Scott’s second cap – he also impressed after coming on against Czechia in Prague – and the 23-year-old’s excellence was one of many positives on an important night for Tuchel. The manager can feel a new England emerging after the pain of their World Cup defeat by Argentina.

The squad has been refreshed and it was interesting that Tuchel used a question about Jordan Pickford’s spot as the No 1 goalkeeper last Friday to suggest, unprompted, that Rice does not necessarily have a guaranteed place in the team. The bigger picture is that Rice, who has helped England reach two major finals, remains part of Tuchel’s best XI. However, Tuchel delivered another pointed response when asked if the Arsenal midfielder will feel his place is under threat after seeing Scott’s performance in Rijeka.

We will not survive on two central midfielders. The more the better – and it’s always about the guys who are in camp. Nothing will change that.

But it’s exactly what we need. We need more, more, more, more variety. We need more, more, more options.

Then it’s always about the guys who are in camp. Alex was in the highest level.” Anderson and Scott dominated against the experienced pairing of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic. The England youngsters built on playing together when Lee Carsley’s under-21 side won the European Championship last year.