England under Tuchel facing serious questions one year from World Cup | OneFootball

England under Tuchel: One Year to a World Cup That Feels Further Than Ever

Fan Disquiet Grows as Identity Crisis Lingers

The final whistle at the City Ground was not greeted with silence. Instead, it came with a chorus of boos, a pointed rejection from England supporters toward Thomas Tuchel’s fledgling reign. What was intended to be a new dawn under the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich head coach is already drawing heavy scrutiny.

With just a year until the 2026 World Cup, Tuchel finds himself at a crossroads. England’s 3–1 defeat to Senegal was not just a bad result, it was a performance stripped of confidence, cohesion and any sign of direction. “Disgraceful,” one fan shouted as the players trudged off, heads bowed and shoulders hunched.

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There was no Southgate-style stoicism to shield Tuchel from the response. The smiles he demanded when he took the role have, for now, disappeared. Instead, there are jeers, and more damningly, questions. What are England under Tuchel? And what are they becoming?

Tuchel made ten changes from the narrow 1–0 qualifying win over Andorra, citing end-of-season fatigue and the demands of rotation. But the excuse did not mask what was laid bare on the pitch: no improvement, no identity, and increasingly, the sense of regression from the clarity England held under Gareth Southgate.

Southgate’s Euro 2024 campaign had its limitations, but it also had its defining moments — Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia, for instance. Under Tuchel, there have been neither moments nor movement. That is the more concerning void.

Veteran Selections Raise More Questions Than Answers

Tuchel’s decision to recall Jordan Henderson and persist with Kyle Walker sent an uncomfortable message: that he is unsure of the younger generation and continues to lean on the ageing and the familiar. Henderson, 35 next week, was named as a leader within the camp. Yet his contribution against Andorra was peripheral, his influence on the pitch virtually non-existent. The Ajax midfielder is a veteran of England campaigns past, but this felt like a recall based more on sentiment than sense.

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Similarly, Walker, on loan at AC Milan from Manchester City, endured a harrowing night against Senegal. At 35, and making his 96th appearance for the national side, the right-back was first to lose Ismaila Sarr at the far post for Senegal’s equaliser, then visibly struggled with pace and positioning for the rest of the match. Booked for a rash challenge and targeted throughout, it was a painful watch — a sign, perhaps, that time waits for no player.

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What this says about Tuchel’s thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold is significant. The Real Madrid right-back was overlooked in favour of Curtis Jones, a midfielder deployed awkwardly in defence against Andorra. Tuchel also used Reece James, Chelsea’s captain, out of position at left-back. It paints a picture of a manager still very much in the experimental phase, but there is less and less time for trial and error.

On current form, neither Henderson nor Walker can be realistically expected to make England’s World Cup squad. Tuchel is beginning to see that loyalty to the past might cost him the future.

Tactical Disorientation and Attacking Uncertainty

Tuchel arrived in the England job with a reputation for tactical acuity. At Chelsea, he thrived with a three-at-the-back formation using wing-backs, providing both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity. Yet, five games into his England tenure, there has been no such imprint.

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The coach’s selections have seemed more reactive than planned. England’s attacking setup fluctuates wildly. Against Andorra, the front line was Kane, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke. Days later, Kane was joined by Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze. Each selection feels like a reset, not a refinement.

Kane and Saka appear to be the only certainties. Beyond them, the forward line is a puzzle Tuchel has yet to piece together. Phil Foden may return to prominence if his form at Manchester City improves, but for now, the lack of consistency is hindering chemistry.

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Even Jude Bellingham, perhaps England’s most prodigious talent, remains unanchored in this system. His position continues to fluctuate — sometimes a number 10, sometimes a deeper midfielder, sometimes a wide forward. The disallowed goal against Senegal sparked another flash of frustration, further underlining a player unsure of his role within Tuchel’s plan.

Tuchel has also struggled to find the right central defensive pairing. Injuries to John Stones have denied him a foundation, and while Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah were given opportunities against Senegal, the cohesion is not yet there. Dan Burn has been trialled for his power and physicality, but again, the balance is missing.

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This lack of clarity across all areas of the pitch contributes to the wider question: what is England’s identity under Tuchel? If Southgate’s sides were accused of being overly cautious, they were at least recognisable. Tuchel’s England, by contrast, are undefined.

Clock Ticking Ahead of Tournament Reckoning

Twelve months might seem generous. It is not. Tuchel officially began work with England on 1 January, although his appointment was confirmed in October. Those three months, in retrospect, feel wasted. Could more groundwork have been laid? Could the shape of this team have begun to take form?

Tuchel’s early record is, superficially, positive. Three wins in three World Cup qualifiers, all without conceding. But these were against Latvia, Albania and Andorra — nations England would be expected to beat with minimal effort. Even then, the victory over Andorra was laborious and lacking any sense of authority.

This was, as captain Harry Kane put it, “only the manager’s second camp and we have a lot of young players and inexperienced players at this level.” Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Kane added, “These aren’t excuses, this is the reality. We have to be ready for the next season.”

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Kane himself remains a reassuring constant. His goal against Senegal marked his 73rd for England in 107 appearances. He has now scored in all four matches under Tuchel, extending his run of 48 goals in 49 matches under the German, combining club and country. That statistic provides a modicum of encouragement — that the captain, at least, remains motivated and productive.

Tuchel, for his part, remains composed. “It is a tough learning, but we need to stay calm,” he told the BBC. “We need to accept the criticism and get better.” He defended the Senegal performance as one born from rotation and opportunity. “We took a very serious approach with the line-up against Andorra to give the signal that this is what counts, and here we made a lot of changes to let them show what they show in training.”

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There is some optimism to cling to. “The World Cup is not next week,” Tuchel reminded listeners. “We need these kinds of matches to learn.” England will face Andorra and Serbia in September, further chances to build rhythm and, crucially, identity.

But there are warning signs everywhere. Tuchel’s credibility is grounded in detail and discipline. So far, England under his command have lacked both. The players look uncertain, the system fluid to the point of fragility, and the mood among supporters has already shifted.

Twelve months is time enough — but only if the direction becomes clear.