How England could line up under Thomas Tuchel with new formation and return of forgotten man
ENGLAND could be set for a new look team with Thomas Tuchel closing in on being appointed manager.
The German is believed to have AGREED a contract with the Three Lions to take over the role vacated by Gareth Southgate earlier this year.
The Three Lions are currently under the management of interim boss Lee Carsley, who has won three of his four games.
But Carsley left supporters in serious doubt over whether he actually wanted the job in his post-match interview in Helsinki.
Following the 3-1 victory over Finland, Carsley said England needed a “world class coach” and he was “still on the path to that” – though he later backtracked on the comments.
The interim boss has been more than willing to experiment, both successfully and unsuccessfully.
Lille’s Angel Gomes has been a revelation since coming into the team in the number six role.
However, Carsley’s decision to play Jude Bellingham as a false nine proved less successful as the Three Lions were outplayed by Greece in a 2-1 loss at Wembley.
Tuchel, however, could opt for a very different style to the interim boss.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation, which could provide an opportunity for one forgotten star.
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Mason Mount has not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
However, he enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
While playing under Tuchel, Mount scored 19 goals in 87 appearances in all competitions and won the Champions League in 2021.
Should Tuchel land the England job, then he could get the best out of Mount for the national team.
However, the midfielder would need to bounce back and improve his form at Manchester United, having missed a lot of football due to injury since joining the club.
Mount’s reintroduction could be the first of former England players to get another crack at the whip on the international stage.
Although if Mount returns then it could be in the place of Phil Foden or Cole Palmer.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
Luke Shaw is considered the nation’s best left-back, but due to his injury struggles, Tuchel could opt for Chilwell in his place.
The full-back starred for the German during his time at Stamford Bridge and has already earned 21 caps for England.
Loftus-Cheek could come back into the team to partner Declan Rice in the midfield.
The midfielder has excelled since his move to AC Milan, scoring ten goals in his 48 appearances.
Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Reece James could also be a beneficiary of Tuchel’s potential appointment.
Should the Chelsea star regain his fitness, then he would certainly be a shoo-in over Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right-wing-back role.
Tuchel has also often used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his time as a manager.
This could see the likes of Mount, Dier, Chilwell and James keep their spots in the team but in more traditional roles.
Dier could be used in the pivot alongside Rice, while James and Chilwell could line up a back four.
England player ratings vs Finland
ENGLAND secured a commanding 3-1 win over Finland following their horror show at home to Greece
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay assessed the Three Lions’ stars performances.
Dean Henderson – 6
Only his second cap after long-time No1 Jordan Pickford was dropped. Not a lot to do, but pretty assured when he was called into action, including a smart, first-half stop to repel a Benjamin Kallman strike – even if the Finn was later flagged offside. Could do little to prevent Finland’s goal.
Kyle Walker – 6
After the calamity against Greece, it was no surprise to see Lee Carsley turn to his most experienced defender. Now just nine caps shy of a century, Walker was solid. Could have had an assist late on but his cushioned down header was poor.
John Stones – 6
England’s more conventional system meant the defence was far less exposed – though Carsley’s attacking approach did still see the Finns create chances. Stones made a good early block to deny Kallman after Angel Gomes gave the ball away.
Marc Guehi – 6
Our best defender in the Euros group stages, Guehi was back in here with Levi Colwill dropping out. Pretty assured for a player who by his own admission has not started the season particularly well for his club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
We saw him in midfield at the Euros, and here the Liverpool right-back was shunted to left-back. Looked vulnerable defensively at times but who cares when he produces such quality on the ball – epitomised by his terrific free-kick to kill off this game.
Angel Gomes – 8
The big success story of the Carsley era, however long it lasts, has been bringing Gomes into the fold. He created Jack Grealish’s opener with a beautiful, flicked-pass round the corner and was excellent in possession – barring one sloppy early pass.
Declan Rice – 7
Looked far more comfortable with Gomes playing in behind him, as opposed to the one-man defensive operation he was forced to put up against the Greeks. Looked proud as punch after stroking home England’s third from Watkins’ cross.
Cole Palmer – 5
Played in a more familiar wide right position compared to his central-midfield experiment against Greece. Yet it reduced him to a peripheral figure, adding more questions than answers as to where best to deploy him, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Jude Bellingham – 6
The Real Madrid superstar played off Harry Kane and had the occasional, exciting link-up with Grealish, but this was not one of his more memorable games overall.
Jack Grealish – 8
No doubt will be hoping Carsley does get the job full-time as his fellow Brummie seems to appreciate his talents. His composed finish was his second goal in three games under Carsley – doubling his overall haul from 39 caps.
Harry Kane – 6
Cap 101 for the captain but not one he will remember particularly fondly. He offered the presence the team lacked against Greece when they played with no striker, but did not get much of a sniff in front of goal.
Subs
Noni Madueke (for Palmer, 69) – 7
This game was made for him to make an impact off the bench and he almost teed up Watkins after one fine run but the Finns cleared.
Ollie Watkins (for Kane, 69) – 7
Low cross for Rice’s third was right on the money.
Rico Lewis (for Gomes, 80) – 6
Slotted in at centre midfield when coming on and looked busy.
Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 80) – 5
Embraced the post ruefully after Madueke opted to shoot instead of crossing to him for a tap-in seconds after Finland’s goal. Was marking Arttu Hoskonen when the Finn headed home a consolatio.
Conor Gallagher (for Rice, 89) – 6
His first appearance under Carsley but too late to make an impact.
Lee Carsley – 7
His tactical gamble backfired against Greece but he held his hands up and went more conventional here. It paid off as England were relatively comfortable – although his teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times in all four of his games and this was no different.
But the three best players, Gomes, Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, were all given starring roles by Carsley when used sparingly or not at all by predecessor Gareth Southgate – and for that, the interim boss should take credit.