Tuchel Calls on Four England Stars to ‘Show Up’ as Knockouts Loom

FolioPitch.com – 30 June 2026 | Thomas Tuchel names four England stars he needs to ‘show up’ as the Three Lions prepare for their World Cup last-32 clash against DR Congo. The German boss, whose side topped Group L despite inconsistent performances, has singled out Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, and Bukayo Saka as players who must step up in the knockout stages.

“On a certain level, we want these guys in a key moment to show up. Harry did it. Jude did it,” Tuchel said, referring to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. “I am sure Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka will do it when the time is there, and we need that.” The quartet have yet to score in the tournament, with only Kane, Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford finding the net so far.

The call for greater output comes as England’s wide play has drawn criticism. Former striker Alan Shearer noted that Tuchel has used nine different full-back and winger combinations in three group games, highlighting a lack of settled partnerships. Injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah, along with Bukayo Saka’s fitness concerns, have compounded the issue. Shearer wrote for the BBC: “We have not posed a consistent threat down the flanks, and constantly changing the back four has not helped our defensive stability.”

Tuchel’s selection headaches extend beyond the flanks. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged the manager to drop Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for the DR Congo tie, arguing that England should field more attackers. “England don’t need to play two sitting midfielders in the next game,” Scholes said on a podcast. “I think it has to be a straight shootout between Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, and I would just go with Anderson.” Rice missed the Panama match due to injury and suspension risk but is expected to return.

Meanwhile, the omission of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer from the World Cup squad continues to spark debate. Former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf described the snub as a “big slap in the face” for the 24-year-old, whose goal tally dropped from 25 to 11 last season. “You become a great football player when you show consistency,” Leboeuf told GOAL. “Cole Palmer wasn’t capable of keeping on working hard and showing his talent.” Palmer’s absence leaves a creative void that Tuchel hopes his chosen four will fill.

As England prepare to face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, the pressure is on Tuchel’s attacking quartet to deliver. With Kane and Bellingham already shouldering the scoring burden, the likes of Gordon, Madueke, Rogers, and Saka must prove their worth. The keyword Thomas Tuchel names four England stars he needs to ‘show up’ resonates as a reminder that individual brilliance may be the key to unlocking stubborn defences in the knockout rounds.

England’s group-stage performances were far from flawless, but they remain unbeaten under Tuchel in competitive matches (10 wins, 1 draw). The Three Lions boast a spine of Pickford, Rice, Bellingham, and Kane that inspires confidence. Yet, as Shearer warned, “We have arrived in the last 32 after so much chopping and changing that we are no closer to knowing what our best team is.” Tuchel hopes that by calling out the four stars, he will finally see them rise to the occasion.

In conclusion, Thomas Tuchel names four England stars he needs to ‘show up’ — and their response could determine how far England go in the tournament. With DR Congo lying in wait, the manager’s faith in Rogers, Gordon, Madueke, and Saka will be put to the test. England’s World Cup journey hangs in the balance as these players seek to justify their selection.