You’d think that a team ranked fourth in the world and fresh off back-to-back European Championship finals would be in a good place.
But leaving Barcelona this week, one nagging thought lingered: When was the last time England actually looked convincing on the pitch?
Sure, they’ve been winning — Latvia, Albania, and now Andorra — but under Thomas Tuchel’s early reign, there’s a strange lack of rhythm, clarity, or spark.
For a side brimming with talent, that’s more than a little concerning.
Tuchel Needs Time — But England Feels Stuck
It’s still early days for Tuchel, and patience is deserved.
But even this new chapter feels like more of the same.
The truth is, England hasn’t truly evolved since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. If anything, they’ve stagnated.
Under Lee Carsley, there were flickers of freshness.
A decent start against Ireland, some excitement, even a big 5–0 win.
But most of us at Wembley that day knew what really happened — England floundered until a red card gave them an edge.
Go back further and maybe those 2023 wins over Italy were the last time England felt truly alive.
Before that, they showed promise in Qatar, nearly beating France in the quarterfinals.
But since then? It’s been a lot of waiting for a spark that never seems to come.
Against Andorra, England Looked Dull and Disconnected
Saturday’s performance against Andorra — ranked 173rd in the world — was dismal.
It wasn’t just underwhelming, it was embarrassing.
The stadium in Spain was barely filled, and the energy on the pitch was just as flat.
Tuchel didn’t hold back afterward, calling out the team’s performance openly.
When asked if he was being too harsh, he responded bluntly: “What else do you expect me to say?” It’s a valid question — because it really was that poor.
Tactical Puzzles and a Long List of Problems
Tuchel already seems to have his blueprint in mind: a 4-4-2 system, a strong focus on set pieces, and throw-ins.
It’s pragmatic — not ambitious — and it mirrors the headaches Southgate dealt with.
No true holding midfielder, ongoing doubts about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending, no reliable left-back, and an aging Harry Kane with no clear successor.
The centre-back partnership is also crumbling. John Stones might still have a role — maybe even in midfield — but hopes are fading for Harry Maguire.
It’s a lineup with gaps, and not many answers.
Relegation From Nations League Made Things Worse
England dropping to the second tier of the Nations League may have seemed like a footnote back then. But now, it feels like a major issue.
While elite European teams played each other, England spent the season stuck playing against ultra-defensive sides in low-stakes games.
This matters. With Serbia up next in World Cup qualifying, the truth is England hasn’t faced a proper, high-level opponent in nearly two years — since they lost to Spain in the Euros final.
Tuesday’s Friendly at the City Ground Feels Crucial
Senegal is coming to Nottingham’s City Ground on Tuesday — a stadium that hasn’t hosted England since Euro 1996.
It’s just a friendly, but the team has to show more.
A full crowd deserves more than what fans endured on Saturday.
Tuchel himself seemed rattled after the Andorra match — not just by the performance but by the attitude of some players.
This squad has plenty of star names, but no one should think they’ve arrived. They’ve won nothing yet.
The Curious Case of Ivan Toney
Tuchel’s reluctance to discuss Ivan Toney on Saturday raised eyebrows.
Asked three times about the Saudi-based striker, he dodged every question, instead praising Kane.
Does this signal doubts about Toney? If he’s not in the starting lineup on Tuesday, we might have our answer.
Tuchel isn’t one to sugarcoat. His frustrations are becoming clearer, and he’s right to be concerned.
Frankly, he probably should have started the job sooner, but that ship has sailed. Now, someone inside this squad needs to light a fire — and fast.
Winners and Losers From the Andorra Match
Winners
Harry Kane
Goal number 72 for the captain. He never stopped running and showed the attitude others lacked.
Reece James
Delivered a brilliant pass for Noni Madueke early on. Great to see him healthy and involved.
Noni Madueke
He looked bright again. His next step? Perform against stronger teams.
Losers
Cole Palmer
Tuchel is a big fan of the Chelsea man, but his current dip in form is worrying.
Curtis Jones
Used in an awkward role that didn’t suit him. Not his fault, but it showed.
Jordan Henderson
Didn’t do much wrong, but public opinion is turning.
He’ll need something special to win fans back.
What Comes Next for England?
The World Cup in the U.S. is creeping closer, and this England team still looks like it’s stuck in neutral.
Tuchel has work to do — serious work — to transform this talented squad into something more than just potential.
Tuesday night against Senegal may not be a turning point, but it needs to feel like one.
At the very least, England fans deserve a team that plays with belief, energy, and purpose again.