England Manager Thomas Tuchel’s Honest Take on Albania Victory
England’s new head coach, Thomas Tuchel, didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis after the Three Lions secured a 2-0 victory against Albania at Wembley Stadium on Friday. Despite the win, Tuchel offered a candid assessment of his team’s performance, singling out two players for particular attention.
This match marked Tuchel’s debut in charge of the England national team. Appointed back in October, the 51-year-old finally took his place on the touchline to oversee the national side’s performance against Albania.
England got off to a promising start. Young Arsenal defender Myles-Lewis Skelly, receiving a clever pass from Jude Bellingham, opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Skelly’s composed finish not only gave England the lead but also made him the youngest player to score on his England debut, at just 18 years and 176 days old – a memorable moment for the young talent.
The home side extended their advantage in the 77th minute. Captain Harry Kane demonstrated his clinical finishing, controlling a lofted pass from Declan Rice before powerfully striking the ball home, doubling England’s lead and securing a comfortable margin.
However, despite the ultimately successful outcome for Tuchel’s England, the performance wasn’t universally praised. While the 2-0 win might appear routine on paper, it seems not everyone on the pitch fully convinced both the fans watching and the new England boss himself.
Many supporters voiced their opinions, particularly noting that Manchester City’s Phil Foden appeared to struggle to impose himself on the game, failing to deliver his usual impactful performance.
So, what was Thomas Tuchel’s personal evaluation of the match, and specifically, Phil Foden’s contribution?
Following the final whistle, Tuchel shared his thoughts in an interview with ITV Football, providing insights into his initial takeaways from the game.
Tuchel’s initial assessment was clear: “We can do better, we have to do better.” He elaborated on the team’s start, acknowledging the positive opening minutes but pinpointing areas for improvement.
Here’s a summary of Tuchel’s comments on England’s overall performance:
- Positive Start: Tuchel recognized England’s strong opening, highlighting “seven-eight minutes with 100% ball possession, a lot of passes and high energy.”
- Opponent’s Defense: He noted Albania’s defensive setup, stating, “The opponent is hard to break down as they defend in a deep block,” referencing their strong defensive record in the Euros.
- Second Half Dip: Tuchel expressed concern about the second half performance, feeling “we were too slow and in general, not enough runs off the ball to get behind the line.”
The conversation then shifted to individual player performances, specifically those of Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, deployed in the wide attacking positions for England.
Asked about Foden and Rashford’s impact (or lack thereof) from the wings, Tuchel’s response was direct and focused on expectations: “We hope for more impact in these positions.” He further detailed what he was looking for from his wingers:
Tuchel’s expectations for wingers like Foden and Rashford:
- More Dribbling: He emphasized the need for “more dribbling” to take on defenders and create opportunities.
- Aggressive Runs into the Box: Tuchel wants to see “more aggressive runs towards the box” to increase attacking threat and goal-scoring chances from wider areas.
- Decisiveness: He felt something was “missing” in their play, suggesting they were “not as decisive as they can be.”
Tuchel reiterated his points about Foden and Rashford in the subsequent post-match press conference, doubling down on his desire to see more from the pair.
“We will encourage him [Foden] to do what he does best: go at defenders, go to dribbles,” Tuchel affirmed, signaling his intention to work with Foden to unlock his attacking potential for the national team. He expanded on his concerns about both wingers: “Both of our wingers were not as impactful as normally they can be, as they normally are in club football. I’m not sure why we struggled to bring the ball quicker to them, not sure why it took us so long.”
Tuchel’s honest assessment highlights his high standards and immediate focus on improvement, even after a victory. It’s clear he expects more from his England side, particularly from key attacking players like Foden and Rashford, as they look ahead to future challenges and strive for success on the international stage.
What are your thoughts on Tuchel’s initial assessment? Do you agree with his comments on Foden and Rashford’s performances? Share your opinions in the comments below!