Saka Solidifies Role as Tuchel’s Key England Lieutenant

Published: 14 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

England’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup continues to demonstrate not only the squad’s depth but also the emergence of key individuals who could define the team’s fortunes on the global stage. In a recent clash against Serbia, head coach Thomas Tuchel was afforded the luxury of showcasing his bench strength, introducing Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Eberechi Eze after 65 minutes. Each substitute brought energy, creativity, and intent to the field, confirming why England boasts such a formidable pool of talent. Yet, despite the fresh injection of attacking flair, it was Bukayo Saka who once again underscored his irreplaceable status in Tuchel’s plans.

While Bellingham, Foden, and Eze were designed as game-changers, ready to inject pace and ingenuity in the final third, Saka’s performance highlighted a different, equally vital quality: consistency. The Arsenal star remained on the pitch for the full ninety minutes, producing a performance that blended technical proficiency with tactical intelligence. He opened the scoring with a superb goal, setting the tone for a 2-0 victory and providing Tuchel with yet another reason to regard him as one of England’s indispensable players.

The context surrounding Saka’s role cannot be overstated. England have now qualified for the World Cup, but the battle for a starting place in the tournament remains intensely competitive. Questions persist over the number 10 role, where Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham both present tantalizing options, and the left flank, where Manchester City’s Phil Foden jostles for consideration. Amidst this competitive environment, Tuchel has no doubts about Saka. At 24, he is a player whose experience, versatility, and form have made him an automatic pick for the starting XI. His goal against Serbia was his 14th in 47 appearances for England since his debut in October 2020, and he now holds the distinction of being Arsenal’s leading England goalscorer, surpassing the legendary Cliff Bastin with his strike against Wales in October.

Tuchel’s faith in Saka is not misplaced. The Arsenal star brings more than just goals; his movement, pressing, and ability to link with teammates make him a linchpin in both attack and defensive transitions. Alongside captain Harry Kane, Saka forms one of the most reliable partnerships in the squad. Kane, England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 76 goals in 111 appearances, demonstrated his characteristic hunger during the match, even dropping deep to win the ball back in a crunching defensive tackle near England’s penalty area. While Kane embodies leadership and experience, Saka represents the blend of youthful dynamism and high-level consistency that Tuchel values highly.

The match against Serbia may not have carried significant weight in terms of qualifying points—England were already on an unblemished seven-match winning run—but it provided a platform for both established and emerging players to stake their claims. Bellingham, Foden, and Eze were eager to impress, and they did not disappoint. Eze capped the game with a curling finish that highlighted his quality, while Bellingham and Foden created multiple opportunities in the final stages. Tuchel reflected positively on their impact: “We had good impact from the bench straight away. We brought on quality players and they wanted to show what they could do. They created chances, half chances and scored in the end. You could see the impact and it has to stay like this.”

Tuchel’s management philosophy is clear: individual brilliance must coexist with team cohesion. “It is not about building a starting eleven. It is about building a team and they buy into it. Put ego behind them because it is the right thing to do for the team,” he added. This approach is particularly relevant in England’s current squad, which combines seasoned internationals with younger, high-potential talents. Maintaining harmony and ensuring that emerging stars are given pathways to flourish is a delicate balancing act, one that Tuchel appears to navigate with a measured hand.

While the forwards and creative midfielders drew the headlines, the match offered insights into other areas of potential concern. The left-back position, central defense, and the elusive number 10 role remain open for debate. Tuchel used the game against Serbia as an evaluative tool, providing minutes to players like Morgan Rogers, whose energetic performance included deft touches and the near creation of a second-half goal for Marcus Rashford. By delaying the immediate reintegration of Bellingham into the starting XI, Tuchel demonstrated a commitment to rewarding recent form and maintaining squad competition—principles that are central to sustaining performance over the long haul of a major tournament.

Bellingham’s introduction at the 65-minute mark was met with a chorus of cheers from England supporters, reflecting his stature and growing influence. Despite some early wayward attempts, he linked effectively with Foden in the dying moments of the match to set up Eze for the finishing touch, ensuring that the impact of the substitutes was tangible. The sequence epitomized the synergy Tuchel seeks to cultivate: players entering at different stages of the game must integrate seamlessly with those already on the pitch, enhancing rather than disrupting the team dynamic.

For Saka, the match reinforced his status as an automatic starter and one of Tuchel’s most trusted lieutenants. The Arsenal winger combines technical excellence with mental resilience, attributes that are essential in the high-pressure environment of a World Cup. His ability to deliver in crucial moments—whether scoring, assisting, or simply drawing defenders to create space—makes him indispensable. With England’s first World Cup match approaching, only injury stands between Saka and a starting berth, a testament to his consistency and reliability.

England’s campaign under Tuchel has benefited from the balance between established leaders and emerging talents. Harry Kane provides experience and goal-scoring acumen, while Saka offers versatility, creativity, and energy. The substitutes—Bellingham, Foden, and Eze—represent the next generation, players capable of changing the course of a game with a single intervention. This combination ensures that England are not overly reliant on any single individual, creating a well-rounded squad equipped to compete at the highest level.

The match against Serbia also highlighted the tactical flexibility at Tuchel’s disposal. By allowing Saka to stay on the pitch throughout, Tuchel ensured continuity in attacking patterns and defensive coverage. Meanwhile, the introduction of fresh legs allowed England to maintain intensity and creativity, testing the opposition to the final whistle. This approach not only secures results but also builds confidence among the squad, fostering an environment where every player feels capable of contributing meaningfully.

Tuchel’s management style emphasizes loyalty, performance-based selection, and squad harmony. By keeping faith with players like Morgan Rogers, even when more high-profile stars like Bellingham are available, he sends a clear message: performance on the training ground and in competitive matches dictates selection. This philosophy nurtures competition while maintaining cohesion, a key factor in sustaining success throughout the tournament.

As England look ahead to the World Cup in North America, the importance of having dependable performers like Saka cannot be overstated. His blend of skill, vision, and work ethic provides Tuchel with a player capable of influencing matches from multiple positions across the front line. Paired with Kane, Saka ensures that England have both a creative and a clinical edge—a combination that could prove decisive in tight knockout fixtures.

Off the ball, Saka’s contribution is equally significant. His pressing, positional awareness, and ability to track back provide defensive stability, allowing teammates to operate with confidence in attack. This dual responsibility underscores why he is a central figure in Tuchel’s tactical plans: a player who seamlessly bridges defensive solidity and attacking ingenuity.

The match against Serbia, therefore, was more than just a routine qualifier. It was a microcosm of England’s strategy, combining depth, talent, and tactical nuance. Tuchel’s ability to manage egos, nurture talent, and maintain squad harmony ensures that players like Saka and Kane can thrive while giving opportunities to emerging stars. The result—a convincing 2-0 win—reflects not only individual brilliance but also collective coherence, a hallmark of teams capable of challenging for major international honours.

Looking forward, England’s main challenges will be maintaining form, managing injuries, and ensuring that competition for places drives performance rather than discord. Tuchel’s approach to integrating players like Saka into the starting XI while utilizing the bench effectively demonstrates a blueprint for success: balance, trust, and adaptability. In this context, Saka is more than just a goal-scorer; he is a cornerstone of Tuchel’s vision, a player around whom the team can be built.

In conclusion, Bukayo Saka’s performance against Serbia confirmed what many had already suspected: he is a vital figure in England’s World Cup plans. His blend of technical skill, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience ensures that he can operate alongside Harry Kane as one of Tuchel’s trusted lieutenants. With emerging talents like Bellingham, Foden, and Eze ready to make their mark, England possess both experience and depth—a combination that could finally see them challenge for the nation’s first major men’s trophy since 1966. Saka’s consistency, leadership, and match-winning ability make him central to this quest, and if he maintains this level of performance, he will undoubtedly play a defining role in England’s journey next summer.