Thomas Tuchel’s journey with the England team began on a positive, though not overly dramatic, note as they embarked on their World Cup qualifying journey, securing victories against Albania and Latvia. Although the Three Lions celebrated a 2-0 triumph over Albania followed by a 3-0 win on Monday, it’s evident Tuchel’s squad still has areas needing fine-tuning, something the German manager pointed out after both matches at Wembley.
Let’s delve into the standout performances—and the not-so-impressive outings—from the squad’s first gathering under this new leadership.
Winners
Myles Lewis-Skelly
While there was much chatter about Tuchel favoring experienced players, it was the young Myles Lewis-Skelly, at just 18, who stole the limelight. Scoring his first goal for England only 20 minutes into his senior debut against Albania, Lewis-Skelly displayed confidence that carried over into the match against Latvia. With a remarkable ability to transition from the left flank into the midfield, he was an accurate passer, misplacing only six out of 152 attempts across both games. This performance arguably cements his position at left-back for England moving forward.
Ezri Konsa
With injuries sidelining John Stones and Harry Maguire, the mantle of leading the defense fell to Ezri Konsa, who rose to the challenge admirably. Demonstrating composure and skill, the Aston Villa center-back effectively marshaled the backline and showed adeptness in advancing play from the defense, signaling his readiness for international football.
Reece James
Reece James, returning to the England setup, made an emphatic statement, particularly with an exceptional free-kick during the Latvia clash. His dynamic play might position him favorably in the race for the right-back spot, especially considering his strong on-field relationship with Tuchel from their Chelsea days—a factor that could pose challenges for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s place once he’s fit again.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice embraced a slightly altered role, delivering two assists for Harry Kane and reinvigorating England’s midfield dynamics. While his forward surges brought fresh energy, the strategy might require adaptation against tougher opponents. Tuchel might still need to pair Rice with a more defensive-minded partner to balance the midfield effectively.
Losers
Phil Foden
Despite 44 caps, Phil Foden still seems out of sync when wearing the England kit, with his underwhelming performances persisting under Tuchel’s management. Having drawn criticism for his impact against Albania, he was benched in favor of Jarrod Bowen in the next match. With Bukayo Saka poised to return and Jude Bellingham securing his role, Foden must urgently find his footing—or risk losing out, as patience might be shorter than it was under Gareth Southgate.
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi, who once seemingly held the center-back position securely post-Euro 2024, may find his position threatened after recent performances. Missing his chance in favor of Konsa and newcomer Dan Burn against Albania, his miscommunication with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford didn’t help his cause in Latvia.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White, included late in the squad, didn’t feature against Albania and remained benched for the Latvia game, suggesting a challenging path ahead. Although Tuchel’s setup might accommodate his style, the preference for Morgan Rogers and Curtis Jones in midfield indicates that Gibbs-White still has hurdles to clear.
Marcus Rashford
Similarly, Marcus Rashford, eager after rejoining the England squad, must step up his game. Though he played both matches, his performances didn’t stand out sufficiently to guarantee his spot, especially not with Anthony Gordon recovering and vying for his return.
These early reflections not only highlight the promise within the team but also underscore the areas where improvement is needed as Tuchel’s England journey progresses.
