Special ops substitutions, internal competition for spots
Three substitutions in two games – on the face of it may look innocuous but these ended up saving England from exiting the World Cup in the Round of 32 and then the Round of 16. In a moment of need, Thomas Tuchel didn’t helplessly look at the English bench for a prayer. He instead had a plan – one that England have been hatching for a while now. There is no such thing as a cameo appearance for an England substitute. They are part of what Tuchel calls the ‘special operations’ team – a phrase he let out before the World Cup had even begun. Asked a question about Ivan Toney making it to the England team, Tuchel uttered the phrase that is used primarily in American football. Special teams is a group of eleven players who are used for kicking situations. Tuchel’s substitutes are all earmarked with certain roles to play in a match. A goal down against Congo, he brought Anthony Gordon on. Gordon, who had lost his place to Marcus Rashford …
