In a recent press conference, England manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed that he will not drop players based on early performance evaluations following a 2-0 victory over Albania. Despite Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden’s lackluster performances in their opening match, Tuchel emphasized the importance of assessing players over time.
Both Rashford and Foden were substituted after 74 minutes and did not make the impact expected at Wembley. Tuchel noted, “Both of our wingers were not as impactful as they usually are in club football. At the moment, I’m not sure why we struggled to deliver the ball to them effectively. I will review the match.”
Ahead of the upcoming match against Latvia, Tuchel acknowledged his conversations with Rashford and Foden, stating, “They know I appreciate their effort, especially off the ball. The numbers reflect their contributions in defending and pressing.”
Tuchel further analyzed Rashford’s performance, highlighting his movement and runs that went unnoticed, as well as Foden’s difficulty in finding rhythm. “Marcus created a significant chance for Jude Bellingham. However, we need to better utilize their skills in one-on-one situations,” he stated.
With the Latvia game on the horizon, Tuchel suggested the possibility of fielding the same starting lineup, yet remained open to changes if fresh legs could benefit the team: “No one will be dropped solely based on performance. We will focus on improvement while also recognizing that some players deserve an opportunity.”
As England prepares for its World Cup qualifiers, all eyes will remain on Tuchel’s tactical decisions and the ability to maximize player potential.
