England’s national team has a new face at the helm as Thomas Tuchel takes over as manager, and he’s wasted no time in making his mark. Reports are surfacing that Tuchel has already honored a promise made to one player even before officially stepping into his new role with the Three Lions.
Tuchel Era Begins: Rashford Returns to England Squad
Starting in early 2025, Tuchel’s England journey kicks off with a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday. He succeeds Gareth Southgate, following a brief interim period under Lee Carsley. Tuchel’s squad selection immediately signals a shift, blending fresh talent with experienced returnees.
While new faces like Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly have received their first national team call-ups, the spotlight shines on the return of familiar figures. Experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson is back in the fold, but perhaps the most notable inclusion is Marcus Rashford.
Rashford’s England career seemed uncertain not long ago. Despite being part of the Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup squads, he was surprisingly left out of Southgate’s Euro 2024 selection. His last appearance for England was nearly a year prior, in a match against Brazil. His club situation at Manchester United further complicated matters.
Under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Rashford found himself on the fringes. Limited to substitute appearances and often excluded from matchday squads due to concerns over his training performances, a loan move became necessary. In January, Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season.
At Aston Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, the 27-year-old forward has rediscovered his form. He’s contributed four assists across all competitions and is showing glimpses of his прежние brilliance. This resurgence was enough to see him join his Aston Villa teammates, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa, in the England squad. However, it appears Tuchel had plans for Rashford’s return all along.
According to reports from The Sun in November, just a month after Tuchel’s appointment as England manager was announced, he personally contacted Rashford. Tuchel reportedly assured Rashford that he would be a key player in his England setup.
Marcus Rashford is back in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel. Image: Getty
Reportedly, Tuchel believed Rashford’s absence from Euro 2024 was a mistake, making England’s attack less potent and predictable. A source quoted in The Sun revealed Tuchel’s sentiments:
-
Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives, emphasizing Rashford’s crucial role in his England plans.
-
He suggested that England’s Euro 2024 shortcomings were partly due to Rashford not being available as an attacking option.
-
Tuchel believes Rashford’s presence instills fear in opposing teams, and his absence weakened England’s left-sided attack, making them easier to defend against as attacks became heavily right-sided.
-
Tuchel is a significant admirer of Rashford’s talent, viewing this return as a major confidence boost for the player to rediscover his peak form.
Tuchel’s Critique of Southgate’s Euro 2024 Strategy
In the lead-up to his first match, Tuchel has also subtly critiqued Gareth Southgate’s approach during Euro 2024. While acknowledging England’s progress in recent major tournaments, Tuchel pointed to a crucial aspect he believes was missing.
“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it,” Tuchel stated in an interview with ITV, reflecting on England’s Euro 2024 campaign where they reached the final but lost 2-1 to Spain.
According to Tuchel, the key ingredient England lacked was “excitement,” implying a need for a more daring and attacking mindset.
England is set to host Albania at Wembley for Tuchel’s debut game on Friday, followed by another home fixture against Latvia on Monday at the national stadium. All eyes will be on Tuchel’s England and whether he can deliver on his promises and inject the missing “excitement” into the team.
Excited to see how Tuchel’s England performs? Stay tuned for match analysis and updates after Friday’s World Cup qualifier!