Thomas Tuchel can’t be judged properly until the knockout stages next summer when England face more heavyweight opposition - like France or Spain - but he’s doing what’s asked of him. Senegal was poor but since then Tuchel has made England a strong unit, organised and attractive,

... England have a good, increasingly settled team with a strong spine. They have a robust cast of understudies. They have an outstanding manager capable of changing games with a tweak or a sub. Five things England must now make sure they do… #ENG 2/2

England have qualified impressively for the World Cup, as they should do from an unchallenging group. Thomas Tuchel’s side deserve to travel across the pond amongst the tier of contenders just behind the favourites, Spain and France... #ENG 1/2

Elliot Anderson’s 4th senior international. Looks like he’s been playing there for years. Unchallenging oppo but he's already embedded in England midfield, complementing Rice. Physical, takes ball under pressure, good decision-making, just needs to work on his shooting #ENG

Tuchel’s #ENG World Cup XI taking shape, only a few either/ors, form/fitness/oppo etc: Pickford; James, Stones/Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly/Livramento/Spence; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers/Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Will Harry Kane's #ENG scoring record ever be broken? Goals 75 and 76 so far tonight. 1st from open play, 2nd from the spot, both clinical. Kane's 32, in peak form, not reliant on pace, going to World Cup, debate over dearth of strikers. Is 100-goal landmark possible? #LVAENG

Stones still a gem. Knew #ENG needed a quick counter to break the block, signalled to Gordon to run in behind, and floated a perfect 50-yard ball into space for him. Good finish by Gordon but Stones’ quick thinking & technique set the scene. 85th cap. If fit, has to start #LVAENG

Delighted that ‘Kenny Dalglish’, directed by Asif Kapadia, will have its world premiere at the Rome Film Festival on 21st October. It’s an honour and a huge thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. ❤️ YNWA #KennyDalglish

"The academies are definitely seeing it,” Carsley adds of the No 9 debate. “It’s just important these players are given opportunity to transfer that from playing in an academy into a first team whether a loan or teams they are at.” 2/2 #ENG Column here

"We need more centre-forwards,” Lee Carsley says. “We need more orthodox No 9s, that are capable of scoring goals. The poacher, the goalscorer, playing on the shoulder and being a focal point upfront is definitely something that I value." #ENG 1/2 .

Hardly breaking news but Fulham have a gem in young Josh King. “Outstanding” was Lee Carsley’s verdict on King’s first start for England Under-21s. Fulham’s 18-year-old played as a 10 but also made chances with his attacking down the inside-right channel in the 1-0 win over

Jobe Bellingham, England U21s captain, did well at Pride Park in two roles, first in midfield, then at 10, and praised by head coach Carsley: “I think he will be an all-round box-to-box player,” Carsley said of Jobe after 1-0 win over Andorra. “He can be creative, score goals. I

Gittens replaced by Dibling 67 mins. Really impressed with Gittens on the left, a constant threat, so rapid. Dribbled through, 1-2 Nwaneri, shot over. Took a pass from Lewis, ran at Andorrans, perfect cross over defence to unmarked Norton-Cuffy who volleyed over. Created goal

jamie Gittens lively on the left for #ENG #U21EURO. Too quick and skilful for limited Andorrans trying to double up on him. Lovely assist: shuffle, acceleration, beats Rodriguez, cut-back to Tyrique George, instant control with right, emphatic finish with left. #CFC connection.

... "we hope that you will all appreciate what we, as fans of West Ham United, reluctantly find ourselves having to do, and share our hopes that this Club will soon be able to live up to its full potential". Open letter here... #WHUFC @HammersUnited2

#WHUFC fans confirm more protests v board & planned boycott of Oct 20 Brentford game. Open letter to Nuno emphasises: “you, your coaching staff & players can rest assured you have our full support even if, for 1 game only, that support will be in spirit rather than in the flesh"

Good luck to Jack Wilshere at Luton Town. Really like how he’s building his managerial career. Retired from playing in July 2022. First, worked in an environment he knows, at Arsenal, as an Under-18s coach helping Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri develop. Then working in a first-team

#ENGAND #U21EURO

From 2027/28, the European champions will kick off the #UCL league phase with a standalone fixture at home on the Tuesday night. The rest of the opening match-week action will unfold across Wednesday and Thursday.

Lee Carsley back at Pride Park #DCFC #ENGAND #U21