England manager Thomas Tuchel has reaffirmed his commitment to team-building over assembling a roster of star individuals, defending his selection for the upcoming internationals. Coming under scrutiny for omitting key players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish from the latest squad, Tuchel has explained his decision, highlighting the importance of continuity and cohesion as England prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel's approach is rooted in the performances of September's squad, which delivered a 2-0 win over Andorra and a 5-0 thrashing of Serbia—arguably his best performance as England manager. He believes that maintaining momentum with a consistent team is crucial, even as he faces criticism for leaving out potentially pivotal players. "We can only make it happen [a World Cup win] if we arrive with a strong, strong team," Tuchel emphasized.
Drawing inspiration from a documentary on the New England Patriots, Tuchel echoed the sentiment, "We don't collect the most talented players, we build a team," underscoring his philosophy. "I cannot agree more. That's what we're trying to do," he added.
Despite injuries and the absence of four key players who started against Serbia, Tuchel remains focused on the collective strength of his squad. He acknowledged the inevitable changes in the lineup but expressed confidence in the direction they are heading. "We decided to stick mostly with the team that had a brilliant camp last time," he explained. "We believe in what we're building, we believe in what we feel, we believe in what we're seeing with this team and this squad, and the competition is on."
The manager also addressed the absence of England captain Harry Kane, who will miss the friendly match against Wales due to an ankle injury. Kane sustained the injury during his last match with Bayern Munich, leading Tuchel to prioritize his recovery ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Latvia. "It was too risky he gets another kick and be in an up and down situation pain-wise. We gave him the chance that everything calms down," Tuchel said, adding that Kane is following an indoor recovery program with Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah.
With Kane out, Tuchel hinted at a potential leadership change, noting that Jordan Henderson, John Stones, and Declan Rice are in contention to lead the team against Wales. "We find other solutions," Tuchel said, indicating his readiness to adapt the lineup.
Looking ahead to the match against Wales, Tuchel is determined to field a strong side. "There was a huge chance we would have started with the same squad [that played Serbia] if the same squad was available," he explained. "We have enough time for the next match that we don't need to pay too much attention on the line-up—or maybe not at all—who plays and starts in Latvia because we have four days in between."
The friendly match against Wales will be a critical test for England, as Tuchel aims to maintain the momentum of his core squad. "It will be a difficult match and a complicated match because we play against a very well-coached team that have a brave approach to play," Tuchel said. "They will make the most of the underdog role, they will thrive in this role."
England's focus remains sharply on the World Cup qualifier against Latvia, where a win could secure their spot for the 2026 tournament if Serbia fails to beat Albania and Andorra. As Tuchel continues to refine his approach, the emphasis on team dynamics over individual brilliance will be central to England's preparations.
England vs Wales kicks off at 7:45 pm on Thursday. Follow live commentary on the Sky Sports app.
England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford.
Defenders: Burn, Guehi, O'Reilly, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Quansah, Spence, Stones.
Midfielders: Anderson, Gibbs-White, Henderson, ...
Tuchel's approach reflects a strategic vision focused on assembling a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level. As England prepares for the challenges ahead, the manager's emphasis on teamwork is set to define his path toward the 2026 World Cup.
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