Thomas Tuchel, the newly installed England manager, certainly wants to take a fresh look. This follows on the heels of England’s expected loss in a friendly match against Senegal. The match unfolded revealing obvious weaknesses, particularly in the attacking third and overall team chemistry. Tuchel is intent on putting a faster, more aggressive playing style in the DNA of his current roster.
In the initial stages of the encounter, Tuchel noticed how his side lacked that flow and urgency when in possession. And even though he called up a pair of forwards in Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke, the duo only combined for four minutes to play in the match. That leads to some uncomfortable questions about who was chosen and used most effectively. As the squad gears up to face other competitions in the coming months, Tuchel continues to emphasize the importance of ball movement should be faster. He champions fewer sideways and backward passes to increase attacking chances.
Tuchel’s willingness to pull no punches in England’s failures have struck a chord with players and press as well. His unapologetic clarity and honesty about the state of the team has been a breath of fresh air in what’s otherwise been a dark time. He articulated a vision for the team that embraces joy in their attacking play, stating that he wants players to perform with smiles on their faces and confidence to assert their status among the best.
The German manager is still very much learning though, to get the most out of his seemingly daily squad. He’s quick to recognize that this journey is far from over. His use of three world-class right-backs—Kyle Walker, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold—shows that he’s willing to experiment with whatever tactical advantages he can find. He’s got exciting options to choose from in the RB spot with talents such as Ben White, Tino Livramento and Rico Lewis. This creates new and exciting opportunities for experimentation in offensive and defensive lineups.
As Tuchel looks back on England’s performances, he knows things must be different. He hopes to be less of an experimenter himself during the next training camp in September. He’s just trying to form a more steady lineup and playing approach as they get ready for bigger and better things down the road. Tuchel’s welcome had been rocky, but he was still keen to make history as the first English manager to have three lions tattooed on his chest. He confesses he is “tempted” to remain because the experience is so pleasurable.
In terms of preparation for future tournaments, Tuchel has invested time in sports science initiatives, including hot weather testing tailored to the conditions players may face at next summer’s World Cup. Second, he recruits to create a competitive environment. He makes sure they are physically fit and mentally prepared to manage the additional pressures that go with playing for England.
He is determined to take the heat out of the pressure inherent in donning the England jersey. He feels this burden can crush players and stifle their performance as compared to their deliveries at the club level. Like many top coaches, Tuchel wants to provide an atmosphere that frees his players rather than burdening them with pressure. Most importantly, he wants to develop a team that plays with flair and confidence.
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