For Thomas Tuchel, the struggles of the Harry Kane-led team serve as a stark reminder of how bleak things can appear. Just recall the disheartening exit of England’s second-string squad from the 2014 World Cup, culminating in a lackluster 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.
The atmosphere then was grim. After suffering defeats in their initial group matches in Brazil, the Football Association faced the grim reality that such humiliations were becoming all too familiar.
Roy Hodgson vividly described the team as being “in a realm of despair,” as they staggered towards the lowest point of losing to Iceland at Euro 2016. However, those setbacks belong to a bygone era. Gareth Southgate orchestrated a revival, reinstating pride and unity in a battered young squad before stepping down after another near miss at Euro 2024. When Tuchel took over, he could hardly be accused of being unrealistic in his ambitions to add a second star to the England shirt.
Concerns Over Reliance on Kane
Despite the optimism surrounding England’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup, there are mounting worries about their increasing dependence on Kane for scoring. Tuchel appeared unfazed, especially after the captain’s skillful header secured a win in last Saturday’s warm-up match against New Zealand in Tampa. Kane is currently in exceptional form, having netted 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, making him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, should he lead England to their first trophy since 1966.
The statistics are indeed compelling. Yet, lingering questions remain. What will happen if Kane is effectively neutralized during a match? Or, if the unimaginable occurs and he sustains an injury on a challenging American pitch?
Tuchel’s alternative strikers possess talent but lack elite status. Ollie Watkins concluded the season strongly with Aston Villa, capable of stretching fatigued defenses, yet he squandered his sole opportunity against New Zealand. Ivan Toney also failed to capitalize against the All Whites and has primarily been chosen for his ability to draw defenders away from Kane when England is in need of a late goal.
Supporting Cast Needs to Shine
This dilemma extends beyond just Watkins and Toney; it emphasizes the need for the wingers and attacking midfielders to contribute significantly.
Tuchel requires more from the forwards who will flank Kane, and he hopes at least one of them will be in scoring form as England prepares to face Costa Rica in their concluding warm-up match on Wednesday evening. Marcus Rashford, who has netted 18 times in 71 appearances, ranks as the squad’s second-highest scorer but was hesitant with his chances against New Zealand. More decisiveness is essential. Bukayo Saka, with a record of 14 goals in 48 caps, boasts a superior strike rate compared to Rashford, while Anthony Gordon has scored twice for England and Noni Madueke once. Among the playmakers, Jude Bellingham has found the net six times, Eberechi Eze three times, and Morgan Rogers once.
“The sheer number of goals from our wingers and other positions is not what we expect,” Tuchel remarked in March. He has called for greater contributions from his creative players at the club level. Observing England’s competitors, he sees Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé standing by as Michael Olise netted a hat-trick in France’s recent victory over Northern Ireland. He also noted that Spain’s Pedri surged from midfield to score in a 3-1 triumph against Peru. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium have also demonstrated a more balanced goal distribution.
Finding More Offensive Options
England must diversify their attacking approach; they need players other than Kane to make crucial contributions. Rashford, vying with Gordon for a left-wing role, enjoyed a successful season with Barcelona but has not scored from open play for England in nearly three years. Despite having an abundance of talent, England has yet to find a suitable replacement for Raheem Sterling, who was an outstanding partner for Kane, adept at making runs from the flank to connect with crosses during his prime years.
Saka has managed only two goals since the Euros, and Bellingham has yet to score under Tuchel. The match against Costa Rica presents a crucial opportunity for Kane’s teammates to build their confidence. While England’s threat from set pieces has been emphasized, it’s noteworthy that match officials will scrutinize grappling and blocking in the penalty area closely. Attempting to replicate Premier League corner tactics may prove challenging; thus, England must exhibit more creativity in open play.
It all begins with establishing fluidity in possession against Costa Rica. England is expected to dominate ball possession against opponents who did not qualify for the World Cup. Tuchel utilized different lineups in each half against New Zealand to enhance fitness amid the Florida heat, but the team in Orlando should resemble the one that will face Croatia in England’s opening Group L match next Wednesday.
Some players will likely see 60 to 70 minutes of action against Costa Rica. A key selection decision looms: has Bellingham done enough to unseat Rogers at No. 10 following an impressive second half against New Zealand? Tuchel has shown preference for Rogers thus far, valuing the 23-year-old’s counter-pressing ability and overall connectivity. However, it raises concerns that the partnership between Bellingham and Kane has yet to flourish under Tuchel’s guidance. They have played together four times since his appointment, managing to combine for just one goal in 38 matches in England colors.
Are Bellingham and Kane in sync? This poses a significant challenge for Tuchel. The notion of Bellingham not starting against Croatia seems unlikely. The Costa Rica match will serve as a test to see if the balance between Kane and Bellingham in the attacking setup is right.
Tuchel understands the necessity of having attackers capable of making impactful contributions. Statistics indicate that England has increasingly relied on Kane’s scoring prowess since Southgate’s exit. Eventually, someone else must rise to the occasion, and amidst all the discussions surrounding Tuchel’s strategies, Bellingham appears to be the most likely candidate to accept the challenge.
