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Lewis-Skelly given best England rating - but Tuchel and two players get 4/10

talksport.com, 21 March 2025, 22:11
Myles Lewis-Skelly was the star of the show on his England debut as his goal helped new boss Thomas Tuchel get off to a winning start.

The Three Lions beat Albania 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Friday night to get their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start.

Arsenal starlet Lewis-Skelly - making his England debut - fired England ahead in the 20th minute after being picked out brilliantly by Jude Bellingham.

In doing so, the 18-year-old has become the youngest England star to find the back of the net on their senior debut for the national team.

England captain Harry Kane then grabbed his customary goal in the 77th minute - beautifully controlling a Declan Rice cross before bending home into the bottom right corner.

It's the Bayern Munich centre forward's 70th goal for the Three Lions and his 36th strike this season in all competitions for club and country [Bayern - 32 goals, England - four goals].

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But who impressed for England in Tuchel's first match in charge? talkSPORT's Adrian Durham has rated and slated those that featured...

'England's best player'

Lewis-Skelly only made his Arsenal debut in September - and now he is arguably England's first-choice left-back.

Justifying his selection in the squad, the teenager has showed why he is being tipped as a future Gunners captain.

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Fearless in and out of possession, Durham awarded Lewis-Skelly an 9/10 rating - the highest of any England player.

He said: "Terrific goal on debut, clever on the ball, strong in possession, a threat, easily England's best player."

Feel the Burn

Like Lewis-Skelly, Newcastle centre-back Dan Burn was handed his first appearance - becoming England's oldest debutante since Kevin Davies in October 2010.

And the 32-year-old almost repeated his Wembley heroics from last weekend where he scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

But he saw his first-half header crash against the crossbar in what would have been a memorable moment for the popular defender.

However, in the view of Durham, it wasn't a performance that will convince Tuchel he is deserving of a regular starting spot.

Giving a 4/10 rating, Durham remarked: "Got beaten for pace a few times, and even beaten in the air by Armando Broja.

"Great story, but found it tough at England level."

Fode for thought

Manchester City star Phil Foden may have felt Albania would represent the perfect opponent for him to get himself back in the goals.

The 24-year-old hasn't scored since January 25 and has struggled for consistency this term for the Citizens.

Still, Tuchel started the versatile playmaker, but Foden ultimately looked a passenger for most of the match.

His display saw him given a mere 4/10 rating by Durham.

In a seven-word verdict of Foden, he stated: "Failed to impose himself in any way."

Adrian Durham believes Cole Palmer is part of the PROBLEM at Chelsea this season

Room for improvement

Tuchel stressed before the Albania clash that he wanted to see a free-flowing England side that excited the fans.

Having accused the Three Lions of looking 'afraid' under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, England certainly looked to always be on the front foot.

Still, Durham was expecting more of England, with Tuchel a given four out of ten rating.

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He said of the German: "In the programme he said, 'We want to excite our fans,' but that didn't happen.

"Early days, we won, but it wasn't great."

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