Bellingham and Rice hold the key to Tuchel's engine room in the USA

THOMAS TUCHEL might still be new to the role of England head coach.

- By Jeremy Cross

However, there is something old and familiar about some of the puzzles he must solve if his Three Lions are to stand a realistic chance of winning the World Cup in the United States.

The clock is ticking with the tournament less than 53 weeks from kicking off.

With little or no demanding tests until then, Tuchel, below, will feel like having to fine tune a team blindfolded.

But he must open his eyes to the one area of his side that promises to define whether games are won or lost - midfield.

Much depends on which formation Tuchel goes with but, whatever he decides, there is little doubt he will pick the indispensable Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

Former manager Gareth Southgate became so enthralled with the Real Madrid sensation that he refused to substitute him, even when Plan A failed to work.