In a surprising twist leading up to the World Cup qualifying match against Albania, new England coach Thomas Tuchel has made significant personnel decisions and criticized the coaching strategies of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. Tuchel's debut as manager comes at a time when crucial players, including John Stones and Bukayo Saka, are sidelined due to injuries. The match at 20:45 this Friday evening promises to be pivotal for both Tuchel's new leadership and England's path towards the 2026 World Cup.
Jordan Henderson, despite his return to the national squad, is unlikely to secure a starting position. Observers have noted the impressive performance of Myles Lewis-Skelly during training, hinting that he may debut as a left-back in the face of injuries to Luke Shaw and Lewis Hall. Tuchel's decision to potentially include Lewis-Skelly underscores a fresh approach as he sets out to solidify his vision for the team. Moreover, Dan Burn, who could also fill in at left-back, appears set to miss out on this match.
Reece James, back after a two-year absence, is ready to step onto the field, bringing valuable experience from his tenure working with Tuchel at Chelsea. The absence of Stones means that Ezri Konsa is expected to partner with Marc Guehi at the back. On the midfield front, Curtis Jones could find himself starting alongside Declan Rice, stepping in for the injured Conor Gallagher.
In attack, the absences of Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka open the door for Anthony Gordon, adding depth to the team as Harry Kane leads the charge. With Ollie Watkins unable to participate due to injury, Dominic Solanke emerges as the likely substitute forward. The anticipated lineup for England includes: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jones; Foden, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Speaking at a press conference prior to the match, Tuchel expressed his candid dissatisfaction with Southgate’s previous methods, claiming that the team lacked clarity, identity, and enthusiasm during crucial matches, particularly at the Euros. “There was no clear way of playing,” Tuchel asserted. His remarks come just days before England's crucial matchup against Albania. “They were more afraid to be eliminated than eager to win,” he added, emphasizing a need for a shift in mindset going into the World Cup.
Tuchel articulated his commitment to transform the England squad into a formidable contender, stating, “The people feel that this is the team to beat.” This sentiment sets an ambitious tone for his upcoming tenure, aiming not only to revitalize the squad’s playstyle but also to cultivate an atmosphere of confidence leading into the 2026 World Cup.
The match against Albania will occur at 20:45 on March 21, 2025. Following this, England will face Latvia at Wembley on March 24, 2025, another opportunity for Tuchel to implement his vision for the national side. Fans can catch the action through Ziggo Sport, as Tuchel’s strategy unfolds on the grand stage.
As the kickoff on Friday approaches, the spotlight is squarely on Tuchel, his decisions, and the team's adaptation to new strategies. This game serves as not just a test of skills on the pitch, but also as a bellwether for the future of English football under a new vision.
With the tournament aspirations high, the approach taken by Tuchel will undoubtedly be crucial, fostering an environment where the team can thrive and regain their competitive edge in international football.
Whether his plans will materialize into victory remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: fundamental changes are in the pipeline as England gears up for a fresh chapter in their international legacy.
