Eight Stars Must Deliver for England's World Cup Bid, Says Hasselbaink

England's preparations took a significant stride forward with a commanding 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday evening, setting the stage nicely ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas next Wednesday.

The Three Lions enter the competition as third favourites behind France and Spain, but optimism surrounds their chances of finally breaking their 60-year drought. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who spent 18 months as a coach under Gareth Southgate, has weighed in on precisely which personnel will prove decisive if Thomas Tuchel's side are to bring it home.

Topping Hasselbaink's list of essential performers is Harry Kane, though with a crucial caveat. "You have to make sure you look after him, that he doesn't get overcooked, and that he paces himself," Hasselbaink explained. The emphasis falls on intelligent rotation during comfortable victories, particularly in the group stage, to preserve the striker's fitness across the entire tournament.

Reece James features prominently in Hasselbaink's thinking as another player requiring careful management. "If you can keep him fit over the whole tournament, he's such a quality player," Hasselbaink noted. "I know his character; he's going to be ready to fire because in his mind he's got something to prove."

The backbone of England's challenge, according to Hasselbaink, comprises Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and John Stones—the latter deemed "very, very important" to keep available. Ezri Konsa is expected to feature regularly, potentially even at right-back, while Elliot Anderson represents an emerging talent of increasing significance.

Rounding out the eight are Jordan Pickford in goal, though Hasselbaink offered a subtle piece of advice for the keeper's management. "Sometimes he wants to do more than he should do. He should let the game come to him instead of him looking for the game," the former striker suggested.

On Kane's mentality heading into the tournament, Hasselbaink was emphatic. "His mentality is top. It's top," he stressed. "You know, he's somebody that is always going to want to produce. If there's one thing that you don't have to worry about, it's Harry Kane's mentality, you know? It's going to be super, super."