The England manager previously positioned himself on the touchline at Anfield, observing in astonishment as his self-indulgent Paris Saint-Germain players declined to commit to the necessary work against a determined Liverpool side. “Lads, what is this?” he allegedly remarked, but there was no chance of a response from players with too much power and insufficient respect for the fundamentals of teamwork.
Intensity? Tracking back? Not their concern, thanks. Several preferred to play individually and it ultimately ground Tuchel down in the end. Tuchel is a manager who wants structure, a clear style, selflessness and energy. At Paris Saint-Germain, however, he saw how self-centered play can bring a team down. How could Tuchel make his mark when he had players who would complain if a teammate looked at them the wrong way?
And so to the question of the national team, celebrity and the power of the collective. It was with good sense that Steven Gerrard analysed the failures of the “selfish underachievers” of the golden generation this week. Domestic conflicts were a problem and the English obsession with big names was a hindrance. It is not a surprise that Tuchel, willing to risk damaging the odd ego, wants to create something different as he plans how to break England men’s long wait at next year's World Cup.
“Our goal is to construct the best team” has been a regular refrain from Tuchel recently.
There has been no hesitation over the exclusion of Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden. “The radical statement is that we don’t collect the most talented players,” Tuchel said before the team's win against their rivals. “We select the players who have the glue and unity to be the best team.”
Tuchel’s career offers pointers about his apparent strategic move with the midfielder. Having star forwards at his disposal did not make his former club in crunch Champions League games, and there were issues at his previous club with certain influential figures. At Chelsea, however, Tuchel’s greatest triumph – claiming the Champions League in 2021 – was achieved with a counterattacking and defensively brilliant team. The key player during that campaign was the tireless midfielder. the experienced defender, a model professional, and the selfless, high-pressing young midfielder were also vital.
Chelsea were resilient, unflinching. With the national side, Tuchel’s mission is to build a tight-knit group. He dismissed questions about whether omitting his best creative players before the recent game was a risk too far. He supported his decisions and was vindicated when England overwhelmed their opponents with scores from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka during a dominant first half.
Observers can now witness his vision develop. Attacking full-backs push forward, there is speed on the flanks – a crucial element if the captain is to thrive at the World Cup – and balance is ensured by the midfielder's growing midfield partnership with Declan Rice. “Progress is being made,” Tuchel commented after the victory. “In Serbia it looked like club football and today it seemed like a league match.”
Leaving aside whether the team will be able to match the physicality of a Premier League style in the heat expected at several of the venues in the host nations, it is important to note the contribution of the young star in the role usually held by the excluded star. “A modest individual, a physical player … a highly skilled player,” was Tuchel’s assessment on the 23-year-old. Better than the established star, however? Obviously not. Nobody doubts his skill. The young midfielder is among the top in the game. How can anyone leave out a player who, with disaster looming, can keep his team in a tournament with a late spectacular goal?
The answer rests in considering the wider picture; in recalling that he was frequently operating his individual style at the recent tournament. Tuchel describes him a special talent. But while he has retracted the controversial “repulsive” remark, he has not taken back what he said about the player having to direct his edge towards his opponents and not to pressuring colleagues or officials. This situation seems coincidental. Pointing to Bellingham only just returning from shoulder surgery is convenient. Tuchel has spoken about players needing to accept “the hierarchy within the team”. After the Wales game he stated the door is open for “top quality, top characters” to rejoin.
A comeback will be on his terms.
The midfielder can return but if he does there will be no exceptions. It is a intriguing situation. Most predictions remains on Bellingham going to the tournament but Tuchel has established a world in which he stays at home. The difficulty is balancing the advantages and disadvantages. Bellingham would undoubtedly be an asset if he accepts the manager's system and does not try to succeed on his own.
However this is not intended as the Bellingham team. If anything this is still the Kane team. Kane reports for duty every time, completes his obligations without complaint and sets the standard. Vincent Kompany, the forward's coach at his club, praises the striker's effort defensively. His scoring are expected; the effort out of possession sets the standard for others to follow.
That is what the manager craves. He would not be drawn into imagining whether he could potentially bench his star attackers on the bench in a major match. He shifted the focus on to the players who are performing for him now. England have played well without him in successive matches. Tuchel is building a team, with Rogers as an modern equivalent of Mount. His time at Bayern and PSG taught him what occurs when it is each player for themselves.
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
