Ahead of England’s upcoming match against Latvia, manager Thomas Tuchel had to make some tough decisions, ultimately leaving out two players from his squad.
The England team, fresh off a 2-0 win over Albania, will now shift their focus to the Latvia match, with Tuchel emphasizing the importance of building team unity over individual talent.
Two Stars Miss Out on England’s 23-Man Squad
While Anthony Gordon had already left the England camp due to injury, two other players, Tino Livramento and Aaron Ramsdale, failed to make the cut for the 23-man squad.
Despite being part of the squad against Albania, Livramento didn’t get any playing time, while Ramsdale hasn’t been included for either of the World Cup qualifiers so far.
In their place, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarell Quansah have been called up to join the squad.
Tuchel’s Focus on Team Ethos Over Individual Talent
Tuchel has been vocal about his approach to building the squad, emphasizing that the process of finding the right team dynamic is crucial.
“We need to get the team spirit right because it’s one thing to play qualifiers, it’s another thing to play tournament football,” Tuchel said.
He also acknowledged that while England has several talented players, the goal is to assemble the best collective group, not just the most skilled individuals.
Foden and Rashford’s Performances Under Scrutiny
Despite some critical assessments, both Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford remain in the squad.
Following their performances in the Albania match, where they struggled to make an impact, former footballer Roy Keane expressed concerns over Foden’s place in the team.
Tuchel also noted that neither winger was as effective as expected, but he’s confident they can turn things around.
Tuchel Offers Support and Encouragement for Foden and Rashford
Tuchel addressed the duo’s efforts, especially off the ball, highlighting their commitment to defending high and their sprinting numbers.
He acknowledged that both players weren’t as visible during the game but assured them that their hard work hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Marcus had a lot of runs when we had the ball, where we did not see him, where we did not use him,” Tuchel explained.
“Phil just may not be finding the momentum at the moment, but both of them are very positive.”
Tuchel emphasized that both players have the right mindset and are eager to improve, especially in one-on-one situations.
He expressed confidence that with more connection to the team, especially with a No 10, they would be able to create more opportunities in future matches.
Looking Ahead to Latvia
As England prepares for the Latvia match, Tuchel’s focus remains on building a strong and cohesive team.
With important World Cup qualifiers ahead, the squad will need to come together and focus on not just individual talent but a unified team effort.
The next step will be seeing if the changes and adjustments made by Tuchel will lead to a more impactful performance against Latvia.