In a March international window dictated by withdrawals and tactical experimentation, failure to beat both Uruguay and Japan didn't exactly get hearts pulsing about England's prospects at this year's FIFA World Cup.
Nevertheless, England remain amongst the favourites to be crowned world champions and while Thomas Tuchel was keen to award opportunities to those on the periphery of his Three Lions squad in the Wembley double-header, the German will have a clear picture in his mind of how he wants to setup when their campaign begins against Croatia on 17th June.
With question marks concerning several positions in the squad, attempted to cut through Thomas Tuchel's selection headaches by picking his starting XI for England's opening World Cup clash in Texas.
GK - Jordan Pickford
Do we really need to get into this one? The goalkeeping department is the least debated and while there will come a time when Jordan Pickford passes on the gloves to James Trafford, that time isn't yet.
RB - Reece James
I'm placing a huge asterisk as this selection is entirely fitness dependent, but Reece James is comfortably England's best right-back if available and I would imagine Tuchel is also convinced by that declaration.
The Chelsea captain is currently rehabilitating from yet another hamstring setback, but he should return before the Premier League campaign concludes.
If he's not fit and up to speed, then Newcastle United's Tino Livramento is more than an adequate alternative.
CB - Ezri Konsa
While the Ezri Konsa-Marc Guehi centre-back partnership was breached for the first time by Japan, their flourishing relationship could be the backbone to England's success this summer.
Konsa has demonstrated whilst at Aston Villa that he's a top Premier League operator and while John Stones continues to prove his fitness, the 28-year-old should get the nod over Tuchel's other central defensive options Harry Maguire and Dan Burn.
CB - Marc Guehi
Awarded the captain's armband for the friendly against Japan in the absence of Harry Kane, Guehi is one of the certainties for the starting XI.
Rewind three months ago, the only major drawback anyone could pin on Guehi was that he wasn't churning out consistent performances for an elite club, but the centre-back is now emerging as a key component in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side.
LB - Lewis Hall
Competition at left-back is intense with two prodigious talents vying for a starting berth. The best thing about picking between Lewis Hall and Nico O'Reilly is that it provides Tuchel with greater tactical variety.
On the pragmatic side, Hall is a more astute defender than O'Reilly and has consistently operated as a left-back in a 4-2-3-1 shape, albeit making overlapping runs instead of inverting into midfield.
It's a close call, but one that Hall just edges - and I would be inclined to see O'Reilly operating in an advanced position, like the box-to-box role Guardiola's utilised him in.
CM - Declan Rice
Declan Rice's odds of 1/33 to be included in Tuchel's England squad - the second shortest price after Jordan Pickford - are indicative of his importance in the Three Lions camp.
The central fulcrum to England's midfield, Rice has forged a well-balanced relationship with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, with the pair complementing each other and showcasing an ability to switch roles seamlessly.
CM - Elliot Anderson
In the space of seven months, Anderson has gone from a player eager to make an impression on the international stage to an undroppable force at the heart of England's midfield.
Despite Nottingham Forest's struggles, the 23-year-old has matured into one of the Premier League's top performers and most importantly, he provides England with an out and out six that anchors the midfield and provides Rice with the licence to roam.
RW - Bukayo Saka
Nobody other candidate has done enough to oust Bukayo Saka from the right flank and despite a subdued club season by his lofty standards, the Arsenal star still has the potential to be a match-winner for England this summer.
There is obviously the Cole Palmer dilemma, but the Chelsea talisman demonstrated his ability to impact matches from the bench during Euro 2024 and being able to finish matches strongly is going to be vital for England in this tournament.
CAM - Jude Bellingham
If Jude Bellingham played for any other country he'd be lauded, not scolded.
Morgan Rogers has collated several impressive auditions in the No.10 role in Bellingham's absence, but his form for Aston Villa has deteriorated, which is probably to be expected when you consider he's played over 3,600 minutes already this season.
Bellingham, at the top of his game, has the ability to win matches of his own accord and in light of Uruguay's aggressive approach, he is the type of character you need to prevail in a blood-soaked battle.
LW - Anthony Gordon
The vacant berth on the left wing appears to be a straight fight between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford, even if neither set the world alight during the March international break.
That Gordon is a regular starter is likely to work in his favour, although his improved form for Newcastle United has stemmed from being pushed into a centre forward role by Eddie Howe.
There is also the case of deploying Rogers from the left flank, a position he's played numerous times under Unai Emery with his ability to cut inside onto his stronger right foot.
ST - Harry Kane
Like Pickford and the goalkeeping department, who starts up front is not really up for debate.
What's concerning is who will be picked behind Harry Kane. Tuchel will need to manage the Bayern Munich striker's minutes through the early stages of the tournament, especially with an additional hurdle of the Round of 32 fixture they will need to overcome.
Ollie Watkins, who had previously cemented the back-up striker role, has been overlooked by Tuchel with Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin preferred. Is there a late spot on the plane for Brighton's Danny Welbeck?
