The appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager has brought a significant shift in tactics compared to his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. While both approaches have their merits, Tuchel's system-first approach has led to a more streamlined and cohesive team, as seen in their opening World Cup match against Croatia.
Under Tuchel, England have adopted a more measured approach, with a focus on playing out from the back and pressing from the front. This has led to a faster tempo through the middle third of the pitch, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford having 72 touches in the Croatia game. In contrast, Southgate's teams often built up short and progressed the ball more slowly.
This change in approach has also led to the exclusion of certain star players, including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who were often shoehorned into roles that weren't perfect fits. Tuchel, on the other hand, has selected players who fit his specific system and tactics, such as Morgan Rogers, who has excelled in his new role.
While this approach may have reduced the individual game-breaking quality of the team, Tuchel hopes that his chosen players will combine to produce a greater collective performance. As the World Cup progresses, it will be interesting to see how this approach pays off and whether Tuchel's tactics will lead England to success.