England boss Thomas Tuchel believes star duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham’s partnership is hitting new heights.
The pair headlined England’s 7-0 demolition of Croatia in the Nations League on Saturday, with Kane grabbing two goals and an assist while Bellingham scored one and made three, including Kane’s opener.
Together they propelled England to the World Cup semi-finals but their relationship on and off the pitch has blossomed further since the tournament, aided by the threat of wingers Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka.
“They were good in the World Cup,” Tuchel said of his main men.
“They get better and better. They love playing with each other. They understand each other better.
“We adjusted the positions after the tournament slightly, but it’s a front four first of all, and the movements and the counter-movements are on the highest level.
“It’s always a team performance, and it was a team performance on the highest level against Croatia.”
Bellingham has moved further up the pitch in the opening three Nations League games since the World Cup, playing further up than Kane at some points.
“I think he almost plays a little bit more offensive for us (than Real Madrid),” Tuchel added.
“That’s where I see him in the most dangerous position. We can overload both sides now.
“Like I said, we adjusted our positioning a little bit after the World Cup.
“Jude plays on a high level together with everyone else, and yeah, I’m happy about individual performances, but I’m even more happy about the complexity of the team performance.”
Alex Scott also excelled in Rijeka, putting in an impressive performance in midfield on his first start.
He appears to have jumped ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly in the pecking order and impressed Tuchel so much that the German says he is in direct competition with the injured Declan Rice for the shirt.
Asked whether he can challenge the Arsenal regular, Tuchel said: “Of course, and he does, we need performances like this.
“This is just the nature of it, and we will not survive on two central midfielders.
“And the more, the better. And it’s always about the guys who are in camp.
“Declan knows about his importance, and he’s one of the very best midfielders in Europe. Nothing will change that.
“But it’s exactly what we need. We need more, more, more, more variety.
“We need more, more, more options. In the end, it’s always about the guys who are on the camp. And Alex was at the highest level.”
Scott renewed a winning partnership with Elliot Anderson in midfield, with the pair starring in England’s victory at the Under-21s European Championships last year.
“I guess it helps. Even their characteristics and not only as players but even in their character, they’re a good mix and match.
“And Alex had a fantastic match, and we need to be strong in the middle of the pitch.
“I’m very happy with the level that Alex trained at, and the players are on the highest level.”
