Tuchel's toughest test yet? England's head coach is facing a dilemma of his own making ahead of Tuesday's crunch clash with Ghana. His selections for central defence and left wing have sparked intense debate after that thrilling – but worrying – 4-2 win over Croatia.
John Stones and Ezri Konsa, the defensive duo who started against Croatia, were caught out positionally at times, leaving fans wondering if Marc Guehi was the more robust option. And it's not just Stones' experience vs Guehi's potential that's got pundits talking – Konsa's inclusion in the XI had many scratching their heads, especially given his sale to Aston Villa by Tuchel during his Chelsea days.
Marcus Rashford's introduction and goal off the bench has added to the headache for Tuchel. By swapping Anthony Gordon on the left flank, England's coach is now forced to weigh up whether to stick with his original plan or make changes that could inject fresh energy into his team.
Tuchel's track record suggests he likes a tried and tested approach – Konsa has played in 10 of England's 15 games under him, while Guehi has started just seven. But Chris Sutton is having none of it, saying Tuchel should think outside the box and pair Konsa with Guehi. Even going as far as suggesting Stones might be benched due to concerns over his fitness and recent form.
On the other hand, Paul Robinson believes any changes will come from a desire to use his squad's depth rather than addressing specific defensive issues. He praised England's attacking intent and said their defence was merely 'nervous' against a top-class Croatian side – but argued tactical tweaks can be sorted out in training.
So what will Tuchel do? Will he stick with the duo that started, or try something new to shore up England's backline? The answer could define his England tenure and determine how far this team goes at the World Cup.
The stakes are high as England heads to Boston for the Ghana game – but whatever decisions Tuchel makes, one thing is certain: it'll be a closely watched match that will have huge implications for England's campaign.