After England’s recent international break, Thomas Tuchel found himself reflecting deeply, just as he had when first appointed.
A week ago, the focus was on the return of Jordan Henderson to the squad, but now, Tuchel is diving into more substantial themes: the need for a clear style and team identity.
Emphasizing Premier League Energy
One of the key messages Tuchel has for his team is to embrace a playing style that embodies the Premier League—high-energy, risk-taking, and exciting.
While it’s still early days for the team, and the vibe in Wembley could be described as a bit chaotic, Tuchel is determined to instill these qualities.
He sees his squad’s development as a work in progress, with the goal of achieving a high level of performance by next year’s World Cup.
Learning from the March Break
With one international camp down and five more to go before the World Cup, Tuchel is already learning valuable lessons.
Despite pedestrian victories over Albania and Latvia, he’s been focusing on the pride the players are showing when wearing the England shirt.
His recent focus on team spirit is evident, and even though the results weren’t thrilling, Tuchel feels the team is beginning to embrace his philosophy.
Frustration with Speed and Decision-Making
Over the course of the two games, Tuchel expressed frustration over moments where he felt England’s attacking players, including Harry Kane, were not reacting quickly enough to opportunities.
He was particularly critical of the team’s inability to exploit disorganized defenses.
Despite these frustrations, Tuchel’s approach is clear: he is trying to get the players to think faster and take advantage of split-second chances, which could make all the difference at the highest level.
The Importance of Risk-Taking and Foden’s Influence
Tuchel’s blueprint for success involves creating moments like the third goal against Latvia, scored by Eberechi Eze.
This goal, which started from deep in England’s own half, was the result of simple, precise passes and quick thinking.
Tuchel sees this as the type of play England needs to replicate.
He’s also looking to harness the unique talents of players like Phil Foden, who Tuchel has pointed out could have impacted the game against Albania more.
Foden’s ability to create and exploit space will be crucial for England’s attacking success moving forward.
Adapting the Wide Positions
A recurring topic of conversation is the use of wide players, and Tuchel has a specific vision for how to best utilize the likes of Foden, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish.
With England’s pool of creative players who can operate in wide areas, Tuchel understands that his approach will need to be adaptable.
Players like Foden and Grealish, despite not being traditional wingers, can still provide the necessary dynamism on the field if used correctly.
Young Players Stepping Up
Tuchel was impressed by Myles Lewis-Skelly’s performance, especially considering the young player’s rapid development into an important part of the squad.
His ability to play as an inverted fullback gave England a fresh tactical look, which freed up Jude Bellingham in central midfield.
Similarly, Morgan Rogers’ promising performance against Latvia showed that he could add a new dimension to England’s attack with his dribbling and creativity in tight spaces.
Set-Piece Threats and England’s Traditional Strengths
England’s coaching staff is also putting effort into improving the team’s set-piece routines, an area where assistant coach Anthony Barry has a lot of experience.
Despite the team not scoring from a corner in the recent fixtures, there were moments where England came close, and Tuchel will be keen to build on these opportunities.
With players like Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, and Jude Bellingham, England’s aerial threat is becoming a key part of their tactical toolkit.
Looking Ahead
As Tuchel continues to work with the England squad, his focus is on refining their tactical identity, speeding up decision-making, and maximizing the strengths of his players.
While there is still much work to be done, the lessons from the March break are already shaping his approach.
As the World Cup draws closer, Tuchel will aim to take this England team to new heights, ensuring they’re ready to compete at the very top.
