Tuchel’s Impact on England’s World Cup Qualifying Success

Thomas Tuchel may be viewed as a temporary hire for the England national team, yet his impact has been resoundingly positive, achieving success with every opportunity he has been afforded. In just 11 months on the job, with eight months working directly with the players, he has made a lasting impression. Tuchel is the first England coach to lead a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, marking his team as the first from any continent to secure six consecutive victories without conceding a single goal.

In a strategic move, Tuchel opted to make seven changes to the lineup that triumphed over Serbia, yet his intention to win remained unshaken, as he summoned his most reliable players from the bench to deliver results. The lingering question of whether England can compete with the world’s elite will not be answered until the World Cup officially begins, potentially not even until the quarter-finals. Critics may recall Fabio Capello’s impressive qualifying record for the 2010 tournament, which ultimately ended in disappointment.

However, England’s drive to secure victory in the closing moments of their recent match against Albania demonstrates Tuchel’s demanding ethos, and there is palpable excitement surrounding the culture he has cultivated in such a short tenure.

Eberechi Eze had earned his place in the starting lineup following a stellar performance against Serbia, but his display against Albania suggested he might be more effective as a substitute. Eze struggled to generate scoring opportunities in the first half and squandered a golden chance early in the second half, failing to convert a brilliant assist from Bellingham. He was eventually replaced by his Arsenal teammate Saka shortly after the hour mark, marking the third consecutive England start in which Eze has not registered a goal or assist. This contrasts sharply with his recent success as a substitute.

Harry Kane showcased his remarkable ability to influence a match’s outcome quietly before striking decisively. Prior to his opening goal, Kane had neither shot on goal nor created chances for teammates—any other player might have been substituted under similar circumstances. Nonetheless, Tuchel’s faith in Kane was rewarded when he converted Saka’s corner and later scored from Rashford’s exquisite cross. Kane’s impressive record under Tuchel now stands at nine goals in nine matches, having scored in six of the eight qualifiers.

Questions about Kane’s leadership and performance following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign have been laid to rest, as Tuchel has made him the focal point of the team. “The work ethic and attitude he brings are outstanding,” Tuchel remarked. “He is heavily invested in all aspects of our play and exemplifies leadership.”

In terms of scoring prowess during World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, Kane stands unrivaled, with 40 goals since 2019, significantly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 32.

While Tuchel has indicated that no player is guaranteed a starting position, Declan Rice, Kane, and Jordan Pickford appear to be secure in their roles as England prepares for the World Cup next June. Henderson, however, is contesting a spot against a goalkeeper who has been a stalwart since the 2018 World Cup. Despite the challenge, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper seized his rare starting opportunity, delivering a commendable performance, including a key save against Albania’s Arber Hoxha and a timely intervention against Qazim Laci, ensuring that England maintained their eighth consecutive clean sheet in qualifying.

“I didn’t want to be the one to step in and concede a goal,” he admitted. “Jordan has performed excellently and has held the position for a while, which makes it challenging to break through.” Nevertheless, Henderson’s display demonstrated his capability should Tuchel ever reconsider Pickford’s position.

Morgan Rogers had emerged as a standout for England during the October matches against Wales and Latvia, making a case for selection ahead of Bellingham. However, upon Bellingham’s return from injury, Rogers faced heightened expectations but delivered a lackluster performance against Serbia and was substituted for Bellingham. His subsequent minutes against Albania were limited, raising questions about his place in the squad as he continues to compete with Bellingham.

Marcus Rashford’s return to the England squad in March was met with skepticism, yet he has proven to be a critical asset, consistently contributing to the team’s attacking efforts. Upon entering the match against Albania, Rashford quickly made an impact, assisting Kane’s opening goal and tallying his 15th contribution (eight goals and seven assists) since the season commenced, marking his seventh contribution in as many outings.

Having faced challenges last year, Rashford has remarkably revitalized his career, becoming an indispensable player for Barcelona and a potent weapon for the national team.