Winners & losers for Tuchel’s England

‘Reece’s quality at highest level’

James was making his first England start since September 2022 against Latvia – and took his chance in style.

The 25-year-old – who won the Champions League with Tuchel at Chelsea – has seen his career plagued by injury but is back fit right now.

“Reece’s quality is at the highest level,” said Tuchel afterwards. “We were in close contact in the last weeks. We knew he was in good shape and a good space mentally. That’s what he proved. He was very positive throughout the camp.”

AC Milan’s Kyle Walker, 34, started the first game against Albania – and was solid – with James taking the right-back spot three days later.

“Where will Walker be in a year’s time? What stage in his career, what shape are we looking at going into the World Cup?

Who impressed at centre-back

Ezri Konsa had two solid games at centre-back, and was unlucky not to score, outperforming those alongside him – Dan Burn and then Marc Guehi.

Debutant Burn, 32, looked comfortable in the first half but was caught out a couple of times in the second half against Albania – and Guehi was involved in both of Latvia’s first-half chances.

“Those sort of games will give Konsa confidence. Two more games under the belt – for momentum, feeling at home in the squad, intangible stuff for an international footballer,” said Green.

“While they [Burn and Guehi] didn’t look as assured as Konsa, they didn’t do themselves any harm over the two games.”

On Newcastle’s 6ft 7in Burn, who hit the bar against Albania, Green said: “Going into tournament football maybe a big thing is you can throw him on. He’s a different option to when you’re playing against stronger opposition and might go to a back three.

Wingers fail to shine

 

Tuchel likes proper wingers who can get down the line and get crosses in. He will not have seen enough in these two games to convince him he has found his man.

The German will be keen to get Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka – who he spoke to after the game – and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer back from injury.

Manchester City’s Phil Foden – who likes to play in the middle – struggled in the system against Albania – and was replaced by West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen for the second game.

Bowen shot off target a couple of times and created a handful of chances on the right, but again did not set the world alight.

Marcus Rashford started on the left side for both games. He put 11 crosses into the box against Latvia, and created six chances – but lost the ball 36 times across both matches – far more than anyone else.

Eze took his chance when he replaced Bowen just after the hour-mark against Latvia. He cut in from the left before slamming England’s third goal home via a deflection.

Credit: bbc.com

The post Winners & losers for Tuchel’s England appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story