‘IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, IF NO ONE ELSE CAN HELP …’
Twenty-four days. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? But Thomas Tuchel has informed his England players that’s how much time they have to work together before next year’s World Cup. Hence, for readers of a certain vintage and fittingly for a tournament across the pond, there will be a strong A-Team vibe to the next 16 months, beginning with Friday’s qualifier against Albania at Wembley. Can Tuchel and his coaching team lock themselves away in a barn and weld together an improvised assault vehicle capable of winning the final, on 19 July 2026, in the space of 24 days? Instead of Templeton Peck and BA Baracus, Tuchel will work alongside Anthony Barry, Nicolas Mayer and Henrique Hilário.
We don’t know how much experience they have of randomly bolting machine guns on to cars, but it has been established that Barry, Tuchel’s No 2, once sifted through footage of 16,154 throw-ins in his hunger to find a tactical edge. Tuchel himself boasts the gravitas and charisma of Hannibal, combined with a relentless tactical obsession, laser-like attention to detail and a suitably-accomplished coaching CV. While the German credits Pep Guardiola as a major influence, Barry is said to be an authority on second balls and knockdowns, music to the ears of any England fan who believes Sam Allardyce was the greatest manager the country (almost) never had. How many recoveries in the final third will be feasible in the searing heat of a North American summer? Let’s “cross that bridge when we are at the river,” Tuchel tooted.
Of course, working on the assumption that England will qualify demonstrates quintessential English arrogance. But taken together Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra don’t constitute the most intimidating adversaries in Group K. The Three Lions are unlikely to need a crunch game against the Netherlands, as they did in failing to qualify for USA 94, just as Tuchel is unlikely to watch a tape of that encounter for tactical inspiration. Graham Taylor’s cry of “That’s good enough!” after Tony Dorigo hacked the ball in the general direction of the Dutch goal exemplifies the level of tactical expertise he brought, and how much things have changed. Compare and contrast with Tuchel, who requires that every pass should be played to a teammate’s preferred foot.
Anyway, there is a growing sense that he is the right man at the right time, after last week’s first squad selection, combined with the new-term enthusiasm of his players. But no plan survives first contact with the enemy so we will know a little more after 90 minutes against Albania. And always lurking somewhere beneath the surface is the fear – or the hope, for all the haterz – that the temperamental Tuchel will spontaneously combust at some point, pushed beyond boiling point by an intrusive hack or one too many passes to the incorrect foot. Gareth Southgate said this week that trophies are not the only marker of success, an idea emphatically proved by the manner in which Tuchel’s predecessor transformed the culture in the squad, revolutionised external perceptions and generally brought the good times back to England. Time is short but thanks to Southgate, there are no fires to put out, and the objective is clear. Perhaps 24 days will be just enough for a plan to come together.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I’m getting used to being a centre-forward, fighting with the centre-backs, them hitting you from behind. You’re always at a disadvantage and they like to mark their territory, intimidate you physically. They want to ensure you’re uncomfortable and don’t have space, from first minute to last – even if the ball’s not there. It’s more mental than midfield because it’s a more direct duel. But I’m adapting and if there’s one thing I’ve always been it’s a battler: I like the contact, I never back down” – Arsenal’s emergency No 9, Mikel Merino, gets his chat on with Sid Lowe about that new role, Spain and facing Real Madrid.
Re: yesterday’s Football Daily letters. I too was pleased to see Alan Hansen looking well when collecting his MBE at Windsor Castle. I was worried he might turn up in a full Liverpool strip, but thankfully he was in suit and tie: he knows you can’t win anything with kits” – Kevin Carter.
Of the lessons learned from Manchester City Women putting an end to Chelsea’s 31-game unbeaten streak, foremost is: ‘The Miedema is the message’” – Peter Oh.
Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Kevin Carter. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we have them, can be viewed here.
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