Thomas Tuchel must be brave and follow Mikel Arteta's lead over key England issue

Tuchel should take the bold option against Serbia with a move that could unlock Declan Rice at the World Cup

After collecting the man of the match award for his performance against Andorra, Elliot Anderson headed to the England dressing room where he was treated to more applause and another presentation.

This time, it was Thomas Tuchel handing him his legacy cap before embracing the midfielder in a big hug.

“Amazing debut, good energy, good week,” said Tuchel. “How you played today, it felt like it was your 50th or 100th [cap] or something. Very good performance.”

Saturday was memorable for Anderson, less so for England’s 2-0 win over Andorra.

Elliot Anderson impressed against Andorra

The FA via Getty Images

Tuchel had said how Anderson had been a bit shy at the start of last week after earning his first call-up, but he did not play like a man feeling any nerves at Villa Park.

Trusted at the base of midfield behind Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, this was an assured performance and not one you would expect from a debutant.

The 22-year-old completed over 100 passes at an accuracy of 94 per cent. He also made 15 ball recoveries and won all his tackles.

Tuchel was so impressed that he hinted Anderson could now start in Serbia on Tuesday, when is England face the toughest test of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I think he has the physicality and he has the mindset to play in more difficult games,” said Tuchel.

“He’s just a very, very good football player. He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No6. He loves to defend, loves duels, loves passing and breaking the lines.

“It was a pleasure to see. And for this performance, he is clearly in the mix to play in Serbia.”

Tuesday’s game in Belgrade will be a good barometer of where this England team are under Tuchel - and it would also be an ideal test for Anderson.

It is difficult to truly judge any player in a game against Andorra who, even after going a goal down, showed no desire to attack.

Tuchel is expecting Serbia to sit deep, too, in a 5-4-1 formation and he is braced for a physical match in a hostile atmosphere.

England met Serbia at Euro 2024 last year and were narrow 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham.

The temptation for Tuchel will be to drop Anderson and instead revert to Rice as his No6.

Declan Rice benefitted from having more freedom against Andorra

The FA via Getty Images

Rice brings a wealth of experience and, in a game that will likely define England’s qualifying campaign, Tuchel may favour the safe option.

Picking Anderson would be the bold call, but it may be a roll of the dice worth taking as Tuchel searches for a No6.

In the build-up to the Andorra win, he spoke about how there is a lack of options there and even suggested centre-back John Stones could be used in such a role.

But Stones is now out with injury and Tuchel is also unable to call upon Adam Wharton due to a groin problem.

It has opened the door for Anderson and starting him against Serbia would give Tuchel a clearer indication as to whether the Nottingham Forest midfielder really is the answer.

The knock-on impact of picking Anderson is that it would allow Rice to play further forward, in the No8 role he does for Arsenal .

Rice scored England’s second goal on Saturday, and that was because he had the freedom to get into the box and head home Reece James’ cross.

Mikel Arteta has become convinced that Rice’s best role is as a No8 and, if Tuchel feels the same way, then he needs to find someone to play at the base of midfield.

Anderson could be that player, but no one knows that unless he is truly tested.