Will the real England please stand up?
Is it the passive, negative England that handed the World Cup semi-final gift wrapped to Argentina?
Or the marauding, fearless team that scored four before half time against tournament favorites France in an admittedly pre-season atmosphere of the third-place play-off?
Who knows? They showed both sides of their game during this World Cup, and as much as supporters can complain about missed opportunities and negative tactics, Thomas Tuchel can point to a most successful finish since 1966.
That won’t wash with anyone though unless improvements on the pitch come soon.
European Championships prep starts now
In the ever-revolving door of international football, preparations for the Euros starts now and the first Nations League game is against newly-crowned world champions Spain in September. On home territory, the 2028 iteration offers England a golden opportunity to get back on the horse and ride.
But Tuchel – presuming all the while he stays of course – has some serious head scratching to do. As we pointed out in an earlier story, he must learn from his mistakes. As a single point of failure, the tactical capitulation against Argentina will go down as one of England’s greatest footballing disasters.
But it’s more than tactics. Personnel and team combinations at the World Cup didn’t work. England, like co-hosts Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will have to qualify, although two host automatic qualification spots are being held in reserve as a “safety net” in case they fail.
So England will qualify, but what needs to change for them to take that next step? And who are the breakthrough stars waiting in the wings? We’ll start at the back.
Pickford or Henderson?
Jordan Pickford in goal had a decent if slightly mixed World Cup. Becoming England’s most capped player at a World Cup with 19 appearances, he made some crucial saves against Argentina and Mexico, but equally looked shaky with the ball at his feet.
At 32 he is hardly past it for a goalkeeper, but Dean Henderon, 29, who played extremely well against France when he got his chance in the third-place game, is breathing down his neck.
James Trafford, 23, is deemed the natural long-term successor for Pickford yet needs some serious game time at Manchester City next season or to move. Otherwise he will find himself slipping down and even out of the pecking order.
Defensive frailties?
The right back slot in the USA proved to be a real problem area as Reece James, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Jarrell Quansah and even Declan Rice had spells there. Only Reece James looked the correct option, and he has major injury issues.
Of course, the answer sits with the player who was sent home before a ball was kicked. Tino Livramento was outstanding as the England U21s won the Euros last year. He would have provided stiff competition to James in the World Cup and after an injury disrupted season needs an uninterrupted one in 26/27.
He will be 25 at the Euros and by then should be England’s starting choice.
After surprisingly leaving out Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw, Nico O’Reilly didn’t really impress in the position. Meanwhile Djed Spence, playing at left or right back, was one of England’s standout performers. He may well keep the shirt as clearly Tuchel trusts him but expect Hall to challenge.
In the middle Marc Guéhi had an excellent world cup – his shackling of Erling Haaland was a masterclass – and looks nailed on to start for the next few years. Next to him, Ezri Konsa looked like a natural partner as the competition wore on.
Charlie Cresswell starred at centre back for the Young Lions next to Livramento last year and may be in contention in four years’ time, but at 23 needs a move to a bigger team than Toulouse. Trevor Chalobah and Jarrell Quansah haven’t shown enough so far at league or international level to suggest they can make the step up into a European or even World title winning team.
Jarred Braithwaite and Levi Colwill are two young players with potential whose seasons were wrecked by injury but who will want to force their way into Tuchel’s plans.
Midfield challenges
One key takeaway from the World Cup is that England’s midfield didn’t really work. Certainly not at the level of Spain’s or France’s. Whoever Tuchel chooses, and however he sets up, better retention of the ball is absollutely crucial if England are to take the next step. You can’t win a tournament against the top, top teams without better ball retention in the midfield.
A half fit and ill Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson didn’t quite click together and it was interesting that Spain dropped the two holding midfielders down to one early in the competition down to one to make room for an extra attacking option.
Rice will be 29 when the Euros roll around and is England’s number 1 midfielder by some distance. Anderson had a good enough tournament but may find himself a victim should Tuchel opt for one DM and a 4-1-4-1 formation he played aginst France.
For a more attacking midfielder on the left eyes might turn to Nico O’Reilly, misused at the World Cup at left back, or even Max Dowman if he can break through at Arsenal next season. Eberechi Eze needs a better season at Arsenal but still has a lot to offer.
Cole Palmer can force his way in if he can rediscover his form at Chelsea while who knows what Kobbie Mainoo is thinking after being the only outfield player not to get any game time during the World Cup.
Who replaces Kane up front?
This is the perennial question that’s no nearer being answered that it was eight years ago. Kane, 32, will likely still be around at the Euros after an excellent World Cup. But succession planning is hard beyond the existing options of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, neither long term options.
Is Jude Bellingham the answer as a false 9 running from deep as he did so effectively at the World Cup? There is no conveyor belt of young talent at the moment unless Ethan Nwaneri can somehow have a stellar two years, but again he’s not and out and out number 9. Liam Delap failed to make the step up in level when he moved to Chelsea a year ago.
On the wings Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka did well enough to keep their place and but there is talent lining up behind them. Top of that list is 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who impressed in England’s warm up games. But attacking options right now look a little slim. Marcus Rashford’s time is surely up while Noni Madueke failed to impress in the USA.
So surgery, perhaps not major but surgery nonetheless, is needed if England are to shrug off the bridesmaid tag. Somethings worked at the World Cup, some things didn’t.
Whether it’s personnel, formation or mentality, Tuchel has been given much to think about.
Nick has enjoyed a highly successful career in journalism and the media. He spent 23 years in the UK national print media, including 15 years on the Daily Telegraph as a senior reporter. He is also an experienced commentator and communications expert. His broadcast appearances include Newsnight, Sky News, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Television, BBC Radio Scotland and local television in Scotland and England. He currently hosts The Road to World Cup 26 podcast.
