When Thomas Tuchel reflects on the challenges of managing the Harry Kane-led squad, he might recall the dismal outlook after England’s second-string squad’s lackluster exit from the 2014 World Cup, capped by a disappointing 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.
Those were indeed bleak days for English football. Following defeats in their first two group matches in Brazil, the Football Association was left grappling with the realization that such humiliations had become tragically predictable.
Roy Hodgson described the team as being “in a realm of despair,” before they reached the low point of losing to Iceland in the Euro 2016 knockout stage. Yet, those setbacks belong to a bygone era. Under Gareth Southgate’s leadership, a rejuvenation occurred, restoring pride and unity to a battered young squad, before he stepped down following a near-miss at Euro 2024. It would be hard to fault Tuchel for his ambitions to add a second star to the national team’s emblem.
While optimism surrounds England’s prospects for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, apprehensions loom regarding their heavy reliance on Kane for goals. Tuchel, however, appeared untroubled after Kane’s intelligent header secured a win against New Zealand in a recent warm-up match held in Tampa. The striker is in sensational form, having netted 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, positioning him as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, should he assist England in capturing their first major trophy since 1966.
Statistics are daunting, yet underlying concerns remain. What is England’s game plan if Kane is effectively neutralized? Or worse still, what if he sustains an injury on an unpredictable American pitch?
Tuchel has quality options in the form of his backup strikers, but neither Ollie Watkins nor Ivan Toney can be seen as elite. Watkins finished the previous season strongly with Aston Villa but squandered his only chance against New Zealand. Toney, selected primarily to draw defenders’ attention away from Kane during crucial moments, also missed opportunities against the All Whites.
This situation extends beyond just Watkins and Toney; it emphasizes the need for wider players and playmakers to contribute.
Tuchel is looking for greater output from the attackers surrounding Kane, particularly as they prepare for their final warm-up against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday night. Marcus Rashford, the squad’s second-highest goal scorer with 18 in 71 caps, appeared hesitant in front of goal against New Zealand and will need to show more decisiveness. Bukayo Saka, boasting 14 goals in 48 appearances, stands out on the flanks. Anthony Gordon has two international goals, while Noni Madueke has one. Among the creative players, Jude Bellingham has netted six times, Eberechi Eze three, and Morgan Rogers one.
“The sheer numbers of our players on the wings and elsewhere do not meet the outstanding expectations we have,” Tuchel stated in March. He expressed a desire for more from his creative talents at the club level. Observing England’s opponents, he would note Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, while Michael Olise netted a hat-trick in France’s recent victory over Northern Ireland. He would also see that Spain had Pedri scoring from midfield during their 3-1 win over Peru. Other nations like Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium have also effectively distributed their goals.
England must diversify their attacking threats; it cannot be solely Kane deciding the outcomes of matches. Rashford, vying with Gordon for a left-wing position, had a fruitful season with Barcelona but has not scored in open play for England in nearly three years. Despite their wealth of talent, England has yet to find a suitable replacement for Raheem Sterling, who adeptly complemented Kane and thrived on converting crosses during his prime.
Saka has only found the net twice since the Euros, and Bellingham has yet to score under Tuchel’s management. The upcoming match against Costa Rica offers an opportunity for Kane’s teammates to gain confidence. Despite discussions about England’s prowess during set pieces, it’s noteworthy that officials will focus closely on grappling and blocking in the penalty area. Attempting to replicate Premier League tactics at corners may prove challenging; thus, England will need to display more creativity in open play.
This begins with establishing a rhythm in possession against Costa Rica, as England is expected to dominate the ball against opponents who failed to qualify for the World Cup. Tuchel experimented with different lineups during the New Zealand match, aiming to build player fitness in the warm Florida climate, but the squad in Orlando should resemble that which will face Croatia in their Group L opener next Wednesday.
Several players will likely feature for 60 to 70 minutes against Costa Rica. A critical decision for Tuchel is whether Bellingham has done enough to replace Rogers at the No 10 position after an impressive second half against New Zealand. Tuchel has leaned toward Rogers thus far, appreciating the 23-year-old’s counter-pressing and connection. However, there is concern that the partnership between Bellingham and Kane has yet to flourish under Tuchel’s guidance, with only one goal combined in 38 appearances for England since his tenure began.
Do Bellingham and Kane share a mutual understanding? This remains a challenge for Tuchel to address. The notion of Bellingham not starting against Croatia seems unlikely. The match against Costa Rica serves as a test to evaluate whether the dynamics are right for both Kane and Bellingham in the attacking setup.
Tuchel recognizes the necessity for attackers capable of influencing the game’s outcome. The data indicates that England has increasingly depended on Kane’s scoring since Southgate’s exit. Eventually, someone else must rise to the occasion, and amidst the speculation surrounding Tuchel’s vision, few appear better positioned to meet that challenge than Bellingham.
