Thomas Tuchel's dream of leading England to a major tournament final has been brutally shattered by their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina at the World Cup. The reality check for the Football Association is stark: England's squad needs a thorough overhaul and a radical rethink of tactics if they're to stand any chance of success at Euro 2028, just four years away. With his contract extended until then, Tuchel faces a daunting task in rebuilding his team and restoring the Three Lions' reputation for being among Europe's elite.
One nagging concern is England's over-reliance on captain Harry Kane – still going strong at 33, but with just 18 months to go before he reaches what would be an impressive 35. While Kane remains a clinical finisher, netting 61 goals last season for Bayern Munich and six at the World Cup, his long-term future beyond Euro 2028 is uncertain. What happens when he finally hangs up his boots? Tuchel needs alternatives – and fast – with Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, both now in their prime, yet barely seen on the pitch during this World Cup campaign.
The search for new attacking talent is mission-critical for Tuchel. Beyond Kane, Watkins, and Toney, only Dominic Solanke (28) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29) have been trusted to don the Three Lions jersey in the past year. In reality, these two are about as exciting as a warm cup of tea – and with only Watkins reaching double figures in last season's Premier League among English strikers, England are badly short of game-changers.
Another pressing concern is Tuchel's midfield conundrum. At 23, Liam Delap has the X-factor that many believe will unlock England's attacking potential – but so far, his breakthrough at Crystal Palace has been a slow burn to say the least. And what about the £50 million signing from Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo? With no minutes under his belt in Qatar, is Tuchel losing faith in the young talent or just hedging his bets?
The Nations League fixtures ahead will provide Tuchel with a chance to put some of these questions to rest. A trip to Wembley against Spain next month promises to be an intense battle – and one that could define England's early Euro 2028 preparations, not to mention their reputation among European nations.