Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Myles Lewis-Skelly for his impressive debut performance in England’s 2-0 victory over Albania, where the 18-year-old Arsenal defender scored a goal just 20 minutes into the match. Tuchel highlighted Lewis-Skelly’s “natural confidence” and his ability to bring excitement to the game, stating that his bravery has significantly accelerated his rise in the sport.
“We saw everything from him, both on and off the pitch,” Tuchel noted. “He plays with courage and quality, making decisive contributions that opened this game for us.” The coach also emphasized Lewis-Skelly’s versatility, showcasing his adaptability by deploying him tactically throughout the match.
However, Tuchel did voice concerns about the performance of veteran players Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, noting that they failed to make an impact compared to their usual club form. Rashford made a surprise return to the England lineup after a year away, while Foden has struggled and has not contributed a goal or assist in his last 17 international appearances.
“Both wingers were not as effective as they usually can be,” Tuchel said. “We need to work on quicker ball movement and improve our support runs. They were sharp in training, so we expected more from them during the match.”
Regarding Foden, Tuchel expressed a desire for him to regain his attacking flair: “We will encourage him to take on defenders and focus on dribbling effectively.”
As the team prepares for future matches, all eyes will be on how Tuchel can navigate these performances and enhance the squad’s overall impact on the pitch.
