Home of football statistics and historyNew England manager Thomas Tuchel will inherit a squad packed with talented players when he officially takes charge of the national team on January 1.
Tuchel has been handed a simple brief with the Three Lions – guide the team to the World Cup title in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
England are one of the favourites to lift the trophy on online bookmakers US platforms, but previous tournament history makes them a risky betting proposition.
Their World Cup success on home soil in 1966 remains the only time England have got their hands on major international silverware.
They have taken advantage of favourable draws to reach the last two European Championship finals, but ultimately failed to get the job done against Italy and Spain.
With that in mind, read on as look at four things Tuchel must address to help England finally shake off their tag of perennial underachievers.
Resolve the Kane situation
Harry Kane goalscoring record for club and country is impressive. However, Kane also comes with a major problem attached to him – he does not help teams win silverware.
While Kane has continued to score goals for England, you would be hard-pushed to argue the team looks cohesive when he is in the starting XI.
The 31-year-old is incapable of pressing from the front and England need a more mobile striker if they want to successfully implement Tuchel’s tactical style.
Kane was a guaranteed starter under previous manager Gareth Southgate, but Tuchel cannot afford to indulge him if he wants to win the 2026 World Cup.
Don’t repeat Carsley’s blunder
Interim manager Lee Carsley dropped a clanger in the Nations League home game against Greece by shoehorning too many attacking players into an unbalanced line-up.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon all started at Wembley Stadium and England were a mess.
Leaving out talented players is undoubtedly a difficult task, but Tuchel must ensure that he picks a team rather than a collection of individuals.
Rotating England’s plethora of playmakers will keep them on their toes and give England the chance to tailor their team to the opposition they face.
Establish a settled defence
Injuries to key defenders have not helped England’s cause in recent times and Tuchel will hope for better luck when he takes charge of the national team.
John Stones looks nailed on to start at centre-back, but the composition of the rest of the defensive unit under the former Chelsea manager is less certain.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will expect to feature in the starting XI, but he remains a defensive liability and will cost England goals in big games.
On that basis, a strong case can be made for Newcastle United full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall to be given the chance to shine during the World Cup qualifiers.
Get the balance right in midfield
Declan Rice was another assured starter under Southgate, but this should not be the case if Tuchel is serious about winning major silverware with England.
Rice has done little to justify the £105 million fee Arsenal paid to West Ham United to sign him and Tuchel has numerous other options he must consider.
Kobbie Mainoo, Angel Gomes, Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones are among a promising crop of midfielders who bring more to the table than Rice.
Conor Gallagher also did his chances no harm in the recent Nations League fixtures and looks better suited to England’s set-up than the Arsenal midfielder.
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