4 things we learned from Thomas Tuchel's first England games | OneFootball

England's road to the 2026 World Cup started with a pair of seamless victories as Thomas Tuchel enjoyed his first taste of international management.

The German was confirmed as Gareth Southgate's successor last October with the sole intention of guiding the Three Lions to World Cup glory in North America. Tuchel's tenure started on 1 January 2025, and there was plenty of buzz surrounding the new manager's bow against Albania on Friday night.

Tuchel, a Champions League-winning coach regarded as one of the best in the business, spoke rather scathingly of the end of Southgate's reign and ironed out what it will take for England to ascend into a realm which has eluded them since 1966.

Here's what we learned from the new manager's first two games in charge during the March international break.

1. A glimpse of the Thomas Tuchel era

There were doubtlessly positive signs from Tuchel's first two games in charge / Robin Jones/GettyImages

In truth, these were two games at Wembley we've seen many a time. England were rarely threatened by the opponents, enjoying all the territory against a deep-lying defence, and were often accused by Lee Dixon of moving the ball too slowly. Their victories over Albania and Latvia were as routine as they come, and while these performances were very familiar, there were a few things which hinted at Tuchel's influence.England's willingness to run in behind was notable early on against Albania, with Jude Bellingham, in particular, surging from deep in a bid to penetrate the opponent's compact block. Bellingham also rotated well with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Marcus Rashford, which helped the Three Lions play around Albania, and it was a combination between the Real Madrid superstar and debutant Lewis-Skelly which led to the first goal of the Tuchel era. They played with a notable intensity with and without the ball on Friday night, and there was particular encouragement to be taken from the way the team counter-pressed after possession was lost. Moreover, there was a notable difference in the way England set up in their two games. Against Albania, Lewis-Skelly performed a more conventional left-back role, which allowed him some freedom to drift inside but also get on the overlap. On Monday night, the 18-year-old's inversion into midfield was much more distinct. England's 4-3-3 became a 3-2-5 with the ball, with Lewis-Skelly partnering Declan Rice in the middle of the park when the Three Lions had the ball. Tuchel will continue to tweak subtly throughout his tenure, and the German's willingness to tinker manifested in March.

2. Ezri Konsa stocks rise

Konsa produced a faultless 180 minutes / Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImages

Harry Maguire and John Stones were two staples of the Gareth Southgate era, but it remains to be seen how big of a role the pair will play under Tuchel. Maguire has been out of the England picture for some time but performed superbly at major tournaments under Southgate, while Stones has long been regarded as the best centre-back in the country's ranks despite his persistent injury woes. Maguire's absence at Euro 2024 allowed alternatives to come to the fore, and Marc Guehi filled in ably alongside Stones. The Crystal Palace captain was arguably England's best player of the tournament. Ezri Konsa also impressed on his sole start, and he was the big winner of this break. The Aston Villa defender started both games, and although the opponents were modest, he didn't put a foot wrong. While Dan Burn and Guehi produced a couple of mishaps, Konsa was a serene presence in England's backline. He's a brilliant high-line defender who plays with the controlled aggression of the greats. Konsa's stock is rising.

3. Phil Foden is not the main man

Foden struggled in a wide role against Albania / Gaspafotos/MB Media/GettyImages

Manchester City supporters will tell you that the England team must be built around Phil Foden. The dazzling playmaker has played a key role in multiple Premier League title wins, but his performances for the Three Lions have often left plenty to be desired. Southgate didn't necessarily build his side around Foden, but he did shoehorn the City star into a system which hindered the individual and collective. At Euro 2024, Foden started in an inside left role without a reliable overlapper, meaning he tucked inside to a congested centre. The result was an incohesive, unbalanced mess. In 45 caps, Foden has few notable moments in an England shirt, and the early signs suggest Bellingham is going to be the main man under Tuchel. The Madrid star started centrally in both March qualifiers, starring against Albania, while Foden was shunted into an unsuited wide role. Tuchel was critical of the wide players' performances on Friday night, and it was no surprise Foden was dropped on Monday. He enjoyed a forgettable cameo against Latvia, and he had better start getting used to such brief appearances under this manager.

4. 2026 World Cup preparation won't be ideal

The Three Lions will not be facing high-profile opponents heading into the World Cup / Harry Murphy/GettyImages

Tuchel has taken on the England job with a view of winning the 2026 World Cup. As it stands, that's the German's only task. No pressure, eh?However, the Three Lions are bound to enter the tournament - assuming they qualify from a tame group - without much experience of facing a top-level opponent under the new manager. They'll face 29th-ranked in the world Wales in a friendly later this year, while Serbia, who are ranked 32nd, are their stiffest opponent in qualifying. Qualifying groups for major tournaments are rarely laden with tricky fixtures, but England had to beat Italy and Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024 and have previously benefitted from facing the likes of Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League. However, their relegation from League A in 2022 meant England faced Greece, Ireland and Finland in the recent Nations League circuit - the Lee Carsley era.There are two slots in March and June 2026 before the World Cup, and the FA must arrange friendlies against high-ranking opponents to offer Tuchel's side a chance to face those they may meet in crunch time next summer.