Thomas Tuchel can be properly be judged only in the knockout stages of the World Cup. By expanding the tournament, FIFA has made it so easy for most leading teams to qualify and progress. England, fourth in the Fifa rankings, take on Andorra, ranked 174th, at Villa Park at 5pm UK today so three points are expected. Whoever starts let’s see five things in particular…
1. Think forward first and fast. Move the ball quickly against the inevitable low block. Don’t go back or sideways so often. Attack. England’s squad and team strengths are in going forward so use them.
2. Go one-on-one, take opponents on, go full John Barnes, express yourself. Let’s see some real width and wing-play - whether Madueke, Rashford, Gordon, Bowen, let the wingers take on their full-backs, going outside, crossing for Kane or cutbacks to Rice. More centrally, the likes of Rogers (a Tuchel favourite), Gibbs-White and Eze, who starts wide and comes in, can commit and beat opponents. Lads, it’s Andorra. Obdurate last time out but only because England were too sluggish.
3. New blood, new hope. Let’s see what Elliot Anderson can do alongside Rice. He’s fearless. Anderson can take the ball from Pickford, from the defence and progress it swiftly through the thirds. His passing is good, probably under-rated (not by Forest fans). He can tackle, cover. Anderson is the future, Jordan Henderson the past (and acknowledging what a great servant Henderson has been for England). Let’s have a look at Spence and Livramento at full-backs, either starting or coming on. Good defensively one-on-one and getting forward. And if one of the newcomers makes a mistake, keep going, keep supporting them.
4. Build the Guehi-Konsa partnership. If Stones is deemed an injury risk for the World Cup, and Colwill out, every chance to build the Guehi-Konsa understanding should be seized. Defence remains England’s biggest concern. Pickford rightly remains undisputed No 1. And England will continue to remain indebted to this reliable, determined shot-stopper.
5. Reset the mood. There’s slight negativity around England atm. Of course they are not as good as Argentina, France, Spain or Brazil. But Tuchel is an elite-level manager, a tactician who can change games late on. England do have exceptional individual talent on show today. Plus Bellingham, Palmer, Saka, Foden (all injured) and Trent (dropped) to return. Plus the huge promise of Wharton. It’s about building a strong collective. England have the coach and the players to go far at the World Cup. They have incredible support from the fans at home and on the road. They have all the backing and facilities from the FA. England just need to get the team balance right, play without fear and keep the key players fit.
