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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>England face Andorra in World Cup qualifier</li><li>Tuchel to have 'experimental' lineup</li><li>Three Lions fans baffled by decisions</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Brain fart' - England fans baffled as Thomas Tuchel prepares experimental line-up for Andorra clash including Reece James at left-back

<p>Tuchel has chosen to field an experimental starting XI against Andorra on Saturday. This includes right-back Reece James playing left-back and midfielder Curtis Jones playing right-back, while Declan Rice is rested. Some commenters on social media described this call by Tuchel as a "brain fart".</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><a href="https://x.com/Na5_10ii/status/1931345987496206671" target="_blank">@Na5_10ii</a> wrote on X: "What in the brain fart is this?"</p><p>While <a href="https://x.com/Faulks1993/status/1931347789910302846" target="_blank">@Faulks1993</a> commented: "I mean surely he’s not going to start a RB at LB to then play a CM at RB??? Especially when there’s players available for them positions."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/JME_XIV/status/1931346074020593971" target="_blank">@JME_XIV</a> tweeted: "I’ve had enough, sack him," and <a href="https://x.com/FeatherFastCFC/status/1931345840712339715" target="_blank">@FeatherFastCFC</a> put: "Every manager jumping on this inverted fullback gimmick is extremely cringe."</p><p>Finally, <a href="https://x.com/FootyIsThe0ne/status/1931349281404780586" target="_blank">@FootyIsThe0ne</a> added: "Thomas Tuchel is a saboteur and nobody can convince me otherwise."</p><p></p><p></p>

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/thomas-tuchel-explains-delayed-start-england-manager-not-taking-role-2025/bltacb581baa9458c79" target="_blank">Tuchel took over as England manager</a> earlier this year, and so far, they have two wins from two 2026 World Cup qualifying games. This away fixture is likely to be a more difficult test for the Three Lions but after a long domestic season, it seems Tuchel is willing to try different combinations, while resting key players such as Rice and Bukayo Saka. Ultimately, if they win the contest, all of this will be forgotten.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>After this World Cup qualifier in Barcelona, Tuchel's England side take on Senegal in a friendly fixture on Tuesday. They will not play another World Cup qualifier until September, highlighting how little time the German has with the English players.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Brain fart' - England fans baffled as Thomas Tuchel prepares experimental line-up for Andorra clash including Reece James at left-back | Goal.com

England fans have been left puzzled by Thomas Tuchel&apos;s experimental lineup for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra.