
Thomas Tuchel got his rule while the boss of England is underway with two victories and two clean sheets.
Victories on Albania and Latvia at Wembley made sure that the three lions made the perfect start of their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Harry Kane thought it was just in both victories while the free kick of Reece James and a ebereechi finish was sufficient to see from Latvia.
In the meantime, MyLes Lewis-Skelly meanwhile became the youngest player who scored on his senior debut in England, only 18 years and 176 days.
But what else did we learn from the opening fixtures of the German boss?
Sunssport's tactical guru dean scoggins gives the breakdown in the latest episode of tactics exposed …
1. Cover the Myles
It was a brave call, but I expected that Lewis-Skelly would start at left back. He has been fantastic for Arsenal.
He played two different roles in the two games. In the first he played as a conventional left back, much more from the outside.
That enabled the wing players to get off the wing and that is where he got his goal, overlapping and locked to the magical pass of Jude Bellingham.
Against Latvia, Lewis-Skelly played a little more as he does for Arsenal as a reverse left back, which went more on the ball in midfield positions.
Tuchel trusted an 18-year-old to do that has faith in Lewis-Skelly.
On the other hand, Tuchel loves Reece James and is a player who comes comfortably inside or around the outside.
I love his dynamics, physicality and he can be as good as Trent Alexander-Arnold from a death situation.
2. Rice … stout and fun
Declan Rice is a fantastic football and one of the first names on the team magazine, but it was a bit of a mystery in these games.
He almost became a problem in which midfield is so overburdened and the two NO10s are in the areas where he likes to come in.
He becomes the BonaFide NO6, but the best parts of his game are not his fast One-Touch passes through the lines.
It felt like Rice played a bit of a part of role, which sat there in case of England possessed possession. He was wasted and I shouted, “Get out of the way!”
In the second game, however, he makes driving behavior for that brilliant assist for Kane.
Tuchel thinks of his team at the World Cup and clearly plays rice – but they have to find out how they can use him against less opposition.
3. Imperfect dozens
Tuchel has to shape the team around the Talisman Bellingham – he is the best English player in Europe.
Bellingham showed his quality to unlock Albania with that great pass.
He grew up with football with Morgan Rogers, but that chemistry between them at international level needs a little work.
They got away on each other and there was many sages – it was like a traffic jam.
Although that was against teams that parked the bus.
Phil Foden came from the busy area for the Eze goal that was very smart.
Moreover, you have to throw Cole Palmer there when he is fit and Bukayo Saka will be on the right.
Tuchel knows that he cannot take them all, but it is not a bad problem to have as a manager who chooses between Bellingham, Foden, Palmer and Rogers.
4. Give pace a chance
It is clear that Saka will come back. He is the best winger in England and he was really missed.
I was a bit disappointed by the ambition of Marcus Rashford and that can be to make confidence.
He had many tactical instructions to deal with and he did them. The exchange with Bellingham and Lewis-Skelly was really good.
The enormous frustration with Rashford is that he does not hit his husband is one-V-one against a Latvian full-back with a huge space behind.
Play a two and go or beat him with his first touch.
Tuchel gave him two chances by starting him in both games – he needed the Wingers to keep their width against Latvia to leave room for the reverse full -backs to come in.
His Dartrun extends from the defense so that rice can set up the Kane goal.
It was half good and half not so positive from Rashford.
Bowen and Rashford naturally come in with their first touch, but I was impressed by Eze, he ran on his full-back and we saw what happened.
5. Stay calm and Harry
Kane is my favorite ever football player and I wonder him. Everyone who has the guts to suggest that he should not play for England does not watch enough football.
Yes, he scores many goals against Albanians and paying attention.
But away from his ability to end – who scores those goals even more? – It's his movement, that's why he scores all those goals.
The finish against Latvia is simple, but it is the movement for someone else who makes it – it is top level.
He knows where the ball will end and is the only one around the rear pole to tap it.
The goal against Albania was total genius.
Most people take the shot early and it touches the defender. Not Harry Kane.
He pauses a fraction of a second and he is in the corner.
If we win a big tournament, this will be with Kane in the team.
He played more like an out-and-out No9 in these games, but his natural instinct is still to link the game.
He is the best passer -by in the team. He is the best Finisher in the team.
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