The decision to name an extended 35-man squad for the recent camp felt like a strange one at the time. Fast forward two weeks, and it will be a surprise if we see it rolled out again the next time England are gearing up for a major tournament. It proved a disgraceful experiment that could reset England’s hopes of winning the World Cup this summer.
Granted, the untimely placement of an international break in the midst of club football’s hectic run-in did limit what Tuchel was able to do with his squad. But that’s the crux of it, really. While most other nations were putting the finishing touches to their personnel, tactics and systems, Tuchel was dossing around giving pity caps to players who will have no business being in the World Cup squad come June.
The draw has been lenient to England, with Croatia, Ghana and Panama their opponents in the group stage. But would it come as a surprise to anyone if England spent the first three matches of the tournament lumbering around, not really knowing their best starting XI or system?
Then there are the ‘injured’ players, most of whom were fit for the last match before the international break, and will have most likely made a miraculous recovery by the time club football returns. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, who hasn’t been 100 per cent fit for weeks, still turns up to France duty and pulls on a shirt because he – the 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 runner-up – recognises the importance of preparing for these major tournaments.
One of the major selling points to Tuchel was his no-nonsense approach that worked so well at club level. But a little over a year in the job and his decision-making is starting to reek of the same arrogance that has infected the national team set-up for decades.
What’s the plan then? Just rock up to the United States and hope it all works out on the pitch? Presumably, the players who can’t find the energy for the March internationals will be fine by then, too? We’ve been here before, and it’s never ended well. The early signs are that this time will be no different.
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