Thomas Tuchel will be the man to succeed Gareth Southgate as the German tasks himself with satisfying the country’s appetite for success.
England have become a global force and reaching the latter stages of tournament has felt like the norm over the past eight years. Southgate leaves behind a squad littered with quality and many of its leading lights are yet to hit their peak years.
It presents Tuchel with a wealth of options with which to prepare England for the World Cup in just under two years time. The German becomes just the third non-Englishman to lead the Three Lions and much will be made of his nationality in the initial period.
One thing Tuchel does have though is a phenomenal football IQ. Southgate was very much a patriot, his passion resonated with the nation, but he was accused of lacking elite level intel, especially when it came to adapting midway through a game or a tournament.
Those accusations are unlikely to be levelled at Tuchel who has won honours at Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Along the way he’s got the best out of some of the world’s great players – several of whom he’ll team up with once he’s officially in the top job at Wembley.
The question for many though is just what does Tuchel’s England look like?
Many will remember his instant impact at Chelsea back in 2021. The philosophy and the formation he imposed so quickly remains his most likely way of playing. The Blues were Champions League winners within months of his arrival as Tuchel bought a defensive solidity and a freedom in attack.
Back threes have been a hallmark and there is no sign of that changing. John Stones has been a stalwart for his country and his blend of defending, whilst being technically gifted, is exactly what Tuchel will want in his backline.
Alongside the Manchester City man Marc Guehi has continued to blossom and is destined for big things. Levi Colwill is a man who would’ve been on Chelsea’s books when Tuchel was at the helm whilst there is also plenty of excitement surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite.
A backline, however it looks, could also be operating in front of a new No 1. Jordan Pickford almost became the poster boy for Southgate’s tenure. Retaining the backing of his manager due to his international exploits, which at times were blind to his club form. A new manager wanting to make a big call could see the goalkeeper as one with the likes of Dean Henderson edging towards the levels we saw when he first made his debut.
One man whose remit may well change is Bukayo Saka. Almost forgotten as a left-back by some, but that is where he first burst onto the scene with Arsenal. Now seen as one of the nation’s top attacking weapons as a winger, yet Tuchel could soon use him in a hybrid role.
The German has previously employed two wing-backs and they are, by far, the two players in his team who see the ball down the flanks more than any other. Saka therefore may be asked to drop deeper at times, likely when England are out of possession, before being allowed to produce his usual flair in the final third.
One man who could stand to win big from Tuchel’s England appointment is Reece James. He started in Chelsea’s European Cup success three years ago before a wretched run of injuries resigned him to the sidelines.
If he can stay fit and get minutes under his belt then his former manager may call sooner rather than later. England are blessed down the right flank with the likes of Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but James enjoyed the best days of his career thus far as Tuchel’s right-hand man.
History in his recent jobs suggests that German will opt for two deeper midfielders, before unleashing a front three. Declan Rice is one of the first names on the team sheet and alongside him there is still room for debate. Jude Bellingham’s quality means he is a must, but he may have to accept a more disciplined role.
The Real Madrid man has produced some memorable moments in opposition boxes and is very much a generational talent. However in order for him to fit, and allow some of his other talented compatriots to also feature, he may have to play deeper than he would like.
Beyond him Tuchel has opted for three players whom he trusts to be creative and ultimately score the goals for the team. That trio have been asked to play slightly narrower than a conventional front three with the wing-backs instead providing the team’s natural width.
It could hamper the ambitions of Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen – who have prospered as a result of the space they can find out wide.
What it could do though is allow for a double pivot featuring Phil Foden and Cole Palmer behind Harry Kane. The England striker has just proven his quality at Bayern Munich under Tuchel and the already existing relationship between the captain and the incoming manager is a huge plus for all involved. It has seemed as times as if it is Foden or Palmer – but Tuchel is the kind of man who will be more than content to opt for both as we enter a new era.
