New England manager Thomas Tuchel has a clear objective after replacing Gareth Southgate. He must lead the Three Lions to success at the 2026 World Cup.
On the 60th anniversary of their only senior tournament success in 1966, England can finally bring it home and reclaim the biggest prize in football.
However, doubts are creeping in about whether Tuchel can take England to the promised land after an uninspiring start to his tenure at the helm.
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Off to a topsy-turvy start
Firstly, England fans wanted to see a change in the dugouts because they were tired of Southgate’s cagey approach, which many believe severely inhibited a talented squad.
Fans wanted a brave man to unleash England’s depth of exciting talents, but Tuchel has done the opposite. His set-ups have not deviated too far from the mean.
His decision to persist with veterans like Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson has raised eyebrows. They are past it, and the team should have moved on from them.
How is Walker, who performed woefully in Italy during his six-month spell with AC Milan, worthy of a call to a national team?
With right-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Tino Livramento, and even Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Walker should not be anywhere near the team.
The same goes for Henderson, who left Saudi Arabia after an ill-advised move and landed in Ajax before switching to Brentford this summer.
England have more than enough central midfielders in Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Gibbs-White, and James Maddison to do without Henderson.
Another issue with Tuchel’s tenure is that the football on display has been far from enthralling. It has been drab and mechanical.
After a rosy start, subsequent games against Andorra and Senegal were uninspiring. They struggled to string passes together and play with intensity against the former.
It was worse against Senegal as the West African team ran riot at Wembley, decimating England with reckless abandon and casting doubts over this team.
No feasible progress – yet
Not much has changed under the Tuchel regime, and there are fears England may once again fail in their bid to shine on the grandest stage.
Besides, Tuchel is underutilising Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer, who should be a key player for the German tactician.
Palmer has been phenomenal since signing for the Blues in 2023 for £42.5 million, recording 72 goals and assists in 97 appearances for the West London outfit.
Even this year, when he had a wretched spell where he couldn’t hit a barn door, he still delivered 18 goals and 14 assists.
His standout performances came in the Europa Conference League final, where his two assists turned the game on its head.
He was equally sensational in the Club World final, producing two sublime goals and an exquisite assist to spearhead the Blues to the title.
Interestingly, it is not the numbers that make him stand out, as fantastic as they are. He can deliver on any stage. That is what makes the kid special.
Palmer can take the bull by the horns and impress himself on a game.
Even with his dainty style, he can dominate the game. If England give him a central role, this 23-year-old Wythenshawe-born star can rise to the occasion.
He has already proved his mettle in the glittering white of the Three Lions, coming off the bench to provide a crucial assist in the semi-final of the 2024 European Championship.
Palmer also scored in the final, which England lost. The former Manchester City starlet is durable.
He is versatile enough to cover the No. 10 position and on the flanks, plus his defensive work rate is underrated.
Tuchel has a game-changer on his hands and cannot afford to make the same mistake Southgate made by ignoring him.
Palmer remained an unused substitute in the Senegal loss, and Tuchel must learn his lesson. Give him the keys, and this phenomenon can take England to dreamland.
Enough with players like Phil Foden who cannot replicate their club performances for England. Stick with the option that takes centre stage when the lights shine brightest.
Can Tuchel still turn things around?
Tuchel was hired to be brave, and he must make some bold calls. Moving on from the old guard has to be at the top of the agenda.
He must also consider re-jigging his stale, uncreative set-up that has failed to excite. Next, give Palmer a permanent place on the side. He deserves it and looks capable of delivering beyond expectations.
Tuchel is still the tactical mastermind who took a disjointed Chelsea side to the UEFA Champions League final with the profligate pair of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz leading the line.
He is still the same one who gave Jurgen Klopp a tactical undressing when his Paris Saint-Germain side faced Liverpool in 2018.
The same one that slapped up Pep Guardiola-led City thrice on the road to that Champions League win and innovated so well in Germany that the Spaniard wanted him as a successor at Bayern Munich.
Not many will out-tactic Tuchel in a one-off game, but he must learn to release the brakes for these England boys to express themselves.
This team needs to play free from shackles and with courage. His Borussia Dortmund team circa 2015 was one of the most exciting sides in Europe tactically and on the pitch.
He needs to bring that energy to the England camp for the remaining World Cup qualifying games.
The Three Lions face Andorra, Wales, Serbia, Latvia, and Albania over the coming months to book their spot at the showpiece next year.
They will be one of the favourites to secure a ticket, and this is the perfect opportunity to build momentum for the main event.
Tuchel can lead England to that elusive World Cup title, but he must show courage and willingness to be brave.
