Joe Cole outlines key to success for Thomas Tuchel’s England at World Cup | OneFootball

Former England international Joe Cole believes the national team's prospects at the upcoming 48-team World Cup in North America could hinge on their ability to "master the arts" of set-pieces.

The tournament could be decided by how teams perform at corners and free-kicks, following a Premier League season where dead-ball prowess was a key issue.

This comes as Fifa reportedly prepares to clamp down on any over-physicality in the penalty area, something Arsenal notably exploited on their way to the title.

"Fifa have come out and said that they’re going to be stringent, they’re going to be pulling up on things," Cole told the Press Association. "The referees have lost it in the last two years, and it’s allowed for some nonsense to go on, actually."

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Physicality at set-pieces has caused debate in the Premier League this season (PA Wire)

He added that if Fifa "returns to normal, set-pieces will still be important."

However, he cautioned: "But if Fifa don’t crack down on it and let it go and it be a free-for-all, then the team that masters the arts best will be in with a better chance. But it sounds like they’re going to be a little bit more strict on it, they’re always important, most set-pieces."

At times, Premier League set-pieces resembled more of a wrestling match than football, with forensic VAR checks to decide what infringements took place and in which order, and Cole wants referees to take back control.

"I think I’d like to see a ref just going, ‘I’ve seen you pull his shirt, mate, that’s a foul, let’s get on with it’," he added. "And then if he does it again, that’s a foul. Book him, let’s get on with it."

He continued: "Then all of a sudden you send someone off for pulling shirts and giving a penalty and we get back to it being very clear, if you hold someone’s shirt in the box, you are going to give away a penalty."

Cole concluded: "For some of the time this year the referee could have picked one of five fouls to give, so you don’t need VAR for that, it’s clear as day. I hope we’re just refs, just taking control. But the players and the managers have to do their part."

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Cole feels set-pieces could be crucial this summer (PA Wire)

The conversation then shifted to England's squad selection, which saw manager Thomas Tuchel raise eyebrows with his selection, leaving Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire at home. Cole, who was part of an England team that failed to fit its best players into a working system, has backed Tuchel’s methods.

"We’ve had our furore about the squad, nobody would have picked the same 26 players, and everyone’s got an opinion," Cole said.

"I think it’s just a case of let’s not keep talking about the players that are not there, let’s keep talking about the players that are there, and the players that are going to help us win, because we’ve got so many matchwinners."

He added: "I think Thomas has got a style of play, and he’s picked a certain type of player who could fit that style."

"So we know how we’re going to play and we know we’ve got the players who can perform that role, and it’s just going to be how well they can execute the plan. And can we get our best players flying? I think we’re one of 12 teams that can win it, and things will have to happen."