Thomas Tuchel, in his debut as England's head coach, led the national team to a commendable victory against Albania on Friday. The game was a step along the way for England, which is already in the qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup. It featured an incredible debut of 18-year-old Ethan Lewis-Skelly. At a mere 18 years and 176 days of age, Lewis-Skelly obliterated the previous record to be the nation’s goalscoring debutant ever. He capped this amazing milestone by netting the first goal. His performance was capped off by winning the man-of-the-match award.
The match versus Albania ended in the 2-0 favor of England, with captain Harry Kane rounding it out. Just as the Swedes were set to pounce, England’s World Cup campaign started with a style, swaggering, surprise positive result. Their next match is against Latvia at Wembley. The team looks to maintain their momentum against the Latvian side, ranked 140th globally.
Tuchel’s first match in charge was more than the scoreline – a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace – but rather the new tactics that he sought to employ. And now, Tuchel is the one at the helm. He’s promising a high-tempo style full of the thrill and excitement of Premier League football. Yet this approach has received a spectrum of praise and criticism about its impact on the global stage.
"Tuchel has said he wants to play the Premier League way," Paul Merson commented on Tuchel's strategy.
Merson, reflecting on England's tactics, voiced concerns about playing with a high tempo in the World Cup's challenging conditions.
"The problem is we are going to play at a World Cup in a country where it is going to be hot. The humidity will be unbearable in some of the places they play," Merson stated.
Even with these worries though, Tuchel undoubtedly feels confident in his plan. This criticism is misplaced as the game’s performance of England’s two wingers, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, did not meet Southgate’s pre-match expectations. Their lack of effect exposed issues that must be addressed as Tuchel looks to perfect his system.
Especially after last week’s awkward debut, Lewis-Skelly’s display was a bright spot and a promising sign for this still-evolving team. His intelligent run and authoritative goal explained his call-up’s worth. On Wednesday, they continued to laud his ability to develop into a vital cog for England’s fortunes in years to come. This emerging star showed the potential at times for what Tuchel’s philosophy could accomplish once fully settled in and understood.
Here, too, Merson’s reflection on England’s tactical renaissance is instructive. He underlined the need for more ball control, more patience on the ball – not just relying on direct Premier League-style football.
"We need to start keeping the ball better and being patient," Merson advised, emphasizing a strategic rethink for success on the global stage.
England's upcoming match against Latvia presents another opportunity for Tuchel's squad to adjust and refine their gameplay. On the pitch, playing at Wembley provides a massive home advantage, with the English supporters delighting in the teams’ continued successes.
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