Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have both been left out of England’s third-place play-off match against France as Thomas Tuchel learns of a new injury blow
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have both been left out of England’s third-place play-off match against France.
The Three Lions end their World Cup campaign in the third-place play-off match against fellow beaten semi-finalists France after Spain beat the 2018 champions in the first semi-final on Tuesday. With nothing important at stake in the final game, Thomas Tuchel has decided to rotate his side, leaving England’s two superstars on the bench.
England team to face France: Dean Henderson, Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney.
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Kane and Bellingham have both been named on the bench, alongside Jordan Henderson, who suffered a broken arm during a fall over the advertising boards after the Mexico win.
However, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is not in the squad due to a reported injury. The 21-year-old had not featured a minute at the tournament.
The Daily Mail recently reported Mainoo was expected to start in England’s clash against Ghana, which the Three Lions drew 0-0, but Tuchel opted to stay with Rice after being left unhappy by Mainoo’s displays in training.
With the tournament coming to an end, Gary Neville believes the United ace will be after an explanation from Tuchel for his lack of involvement.
Kane and Bellingham both have six World Cup goals – two behind Mbappe and Lionel Messi. While it would have taken a remarkable performance to win the Golden Boot, neither player has been given the chance to make history.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps will take charge of his final France game before he steps away from the job. The 57-year-old has been the head coach of France since 2012, guiding the country to World Cup glory in 2018 and being beaten finalists in the 2016 Euros and 2022 World Cup.
Clearly keen to end on a win, Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki in the front line.