The question of what England would do without Kane has stalked the team throughout their qualifying campaign, as the captain netted eight times in their eight games. The hope was that they would be able to find the answer against Uruguay when Kane was rested, while Tuchel was given a second opportunity when Kane pulled out of the Japan clash with an injury suffered in training. Needless to say, they did not find a solution.
Dominic Solanke worked hard against Uruguay but with little reward, and couldn’t make the most of his shooting chances. Phil Foden, meanwhile, toiled as a false nine against Japan in a role he remains ill-suited for.
It was baffling that Tuchel didn’t start Solanke again on Tuesday, or keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin around following his cameo against Uruguay. And despite having two more pre-tournament friendlies against Costa Rica and New Zealand to come once England land in the United States in June, the England boss is no closer to knowing who his best alternative to Kane is in the event England’s all-time top scorer picks up another injury.
