Five Things That We Learned From Thomas Tuchel’s First England Camp

It was a near-perfect first international break for new England manager Thomas Tuchel – five goals scored, zero conceded, and two wins at Wembley Stadium. Jumping straight into 2026 World Cup qualification for his first games in charge, Albania and Latvia were the opposition, 2-0 and 3-0 wins is a positive start under the new system and ethos. The German, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, was appointed as Three Lions boss with the simple task of bringing football home again.

So, what are the early signs of Tuchel’s England, and what are the positives?

Miles Lewis-Skelly Is More Than Ready

Left-back has been a position of struggle in recent years for England, Luke Shaw being the Three Lions’ main culprit for the spot - writing his name in England folklore after scoring in the 2020 Euro’s final against Italy. Nevertheless, while Shaw has been a strong and consistent player when wearing white, he has also had his injury struggles that have kept him out of large periods of action. The baton had to be passed, and a new player would have to step up, Trent Alexander and Rico Lewis being tested in the role. But under Thomas Tuchel, it seems that England have found their left back and their left back for the next decade.

Debut to remember for Lewis-Skelly 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#WCQ pic.twitter.com/GxCGrcfpPp

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 21, 2025

18-year-old Miles Lewis-Skelly has had a breakout season at Arsenal, appearing 14 times in the Premier League from left back and scoring one goal for the Gunners. This form would catch the eye of the new national boss, with Tuchel choosing to promote the youngster straight to the senior squad. Lewis-Skelly perfectly rewarded his manager’s faith on his England debut, becoming the youngest-ever England player to score on their debut against Albania as he put the Three Lions into a 1-0 lead. The Hale End graduate went on to win the Man of The Match and then start against Latvia – putting in another impressive performance. For a player of his age, Lewis-Skelly plays with an incredible level of maturity, looking more than comfortable and able at senior level. The left-back also perfectly complements Tuchel’s system in the way that the German manager positions his wingers as Lewis-Skelly looks to now become a constant in the England squad.

Wingers Pushed To The Touchline

Without the first-choice wing options of Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka due to injury, Anthony Gordon also missing out on England’s second game due to picking up a knock, Tuchel had the opportunity to experiment and give a chance to impress for other wide-men in his first camp. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden were selected for the German’s first game against Albania. However, the Manchester-born duo were isolated in the game, playing in a conservative style and not directly challenging their full-backs. Rashford would be given a second chance against Latvia alongside Jarrod Bowen – the on-loan Aston Villa winger providing Tuchel with a brighter rendition of himself, creating the most chances in the game (6). Bowen would go on to have a quiet, if not solid game before being substituted for Eberechi Eze who in 29 minutes would provide a creative spark and score England’s third goal. In Tuchel’s two games as manager, his style of play for his wingers became clear quickly – the former Chelsea boss wanted his wide threat to be almost touching the touchline, stretching play, while the German has also made it clear in interviews his demands for his wingers being direct and choosing to dribble and take-on players. England’s new style of wing play also always for Tuchel’s full-backs to invert, with Miles Lewis-Skelly and Reece James often taking up central roles alongside Declan Rice in the centre to dictate play and create a midfield overload.

High Press Emerging

Playing against typically smaller teams like Albania and Latvia, Tuchel was never going to be able to implement his full philosophy and tactic onto his England team, due to the opposition choosing to defend and play a frustrating back-five. Whilst there were still signs of some of the football seen under Gareth Southgate– slow and sideways passing in the final third. Tuchel’s tactics were clear to see in the second half against Latvia, with a bit of jeopardy in the game, Latvia being just one goal down, but England would dominate play, quickly retaining due to their high press. Leading the line, Harry Kane would also lead the England press. However, it would trickle into the midfield as Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham would rapidly charge to win the ball back. England’s central midfield duo would make a combined eight recoveries, while Lewis-Skelly and James who often operated in the midfield, also contributed with a combined 13 recoveries. By utilising a high-pressing system, England can lead possession, and force turnovers with enthusiastic midfielders in attacking areas such as Rice. As the Tuchel Era continues and the Three Lions face tougher opposition, the identity of a pressing team may become clearer for England, suffocating each opposition with pressure.

Attacking Midfield Trio

Alongside energy and pressing in his midfield, following his opening team selections, it appears that Tuchel wants a creative and attacking midfield trio. Before a ball is kicked, two non-negotiables for England’s team sheet are the names of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield – Rice being the defensive option, while Bellingham acts as the country’s ‘starboy’. The real question for Tuchel was to decide, which player would start with them and how the German wants to balance his midfield’s. During England’s World Cup qualifiers, if the new boss's first two games are anything to go by, Tuchel clearly wants excitement.

Declan Rice has been on fire for club and country this month 🔥 pic.twitter.com/O9a0Zu7ze5

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 25, 2025

Rice and Bellingham partnered Curtis Jones against Albania, while Morgan Rogers completed the trio against Latvia. Jones provided a complete and well-rounded performance in his third start for his country, completing 95% of his passes, making 107 touches and recording four recoveries. Rogers, on the other hand, was as impressive in a different aspect – completing the most dribbles in the game (7). Additionally, England’s second goal against Latvia is a clear example of how Tuchel wants his midfield to play – high in the opposition’s half, with Rice making an un-tracked and darting run into the box before finding Kane at the back-post for a tap-in.

Ezri Konsa To Be Key

Ezri Konsa, an underrated and overlooked defender when it comes to England, currently playing his football in Aston Villa claret and blue. In his club career, Konsa has got better and better at Villa Park, playing a key role in the club qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last season and appearing 25 times in the Premier League this season. Nevertheless, for England, Konsa has been more of a ‘squad player’ in white and blue, sitting out for other central defensive options such as Harry Maguire, John Stones, and Marc Guehi. However, it was back-to-back starts for the Villa defender under Tuchel, playing a key role at the back in securing two clean sheets as the only central defender playing in both games. It was a success rate of 100% for tackles won against Albania, compared to a tackle success rate of 70% against Latvia. Coincidently, Konsa offers England so much more such as pace, passing, and dribbling – all the desired attributes for a young defender. Going forward, Konsa is in a battle with other central defenders such as Guehi, Stone, Maguire, and other players who were not selected for Tuchel’s initial camp such as Jarrod Branthwaite. But after a strong start under the new boss, the 27-year-old seems to be near the front of the waiting line – Guehi is presumably seen as the favoured centre-half, before Stones and Maguire, who both have had several injury problems, placing Konsa as the likely candidate next to Guehi.