The Thomas Tuchel era has begun with a composed assurance. England’s new boss has navigated his opening two fixtures with a perfect record, brushing aside Albania (2-0) and Latvia (3-0) in a pair of qualifiers that, while not seismic in opposition, offered valuable glimpses into what a Tuchel-led England might become.

Below, we break down the key talking points from both matches, explore the reactions surrounding squad selection, and reflect on the wider picture for the national team under its new tactician. As always if you have any thoughts on the latest run of international games, then get in touch with us over on Bluesky, Instagram, or check out our YouTube page where we will be discussing the international break further.

Selection & Media

Bold Calls and Fresh Blood
Lewis-Skelly’s inclusion was a headline grabber, but it was part of a broader trend as Tuchel has clearly signalled a willingness to refresh the squad. With Southgate’s squad showing signs of aging in various roles, a freshness of talent from across English football (and some European football) allowed Tuchel to see more of the depth England have to offer.

Media Engagement: Calm but Calculated
Tuchel has been calm, measured, and at times mischievously evasive in media appearances. His critique of the wingers was one of the few moments of open disappointment. Otherwise, he’s praised the “professionalism” of the group while stressing that “no one is guaranteed a spot,” reinforcing a demand for high standards and sending a reminder that the manager will be watching players for their clubs week to week.

England 2-0 Albania

Lewis-Skelly’s Moment in the Spotlight
Thomas Tuchel wasted no time making headlines with his squad selections and none more eye-catching than the inclusion of 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. Thrust into the left-back role, the Arsenal starlet looked composed beyond his years and capped his debut with a goal that earned instant folklore status, becoming the youngest goal scorer on debut for England.

Wingers Under Scrutiny
Despite the score line, Tuchel’s dissatisfaction with England’s wide play was clear. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, both having improved form at club level in 2025, were muted here. Tuchel was candid in his post-match remarks, calling for more incisive runs and directness from his wingers, hallmarks of his club setups at Chelsea, PSG, and Dortmund.

Set Piece Structure Returns
England’s previous set-piece dominance under Gareth Southgate seemed to fade in recent years, but Tuchel is evidently keen to reignite it. Declan Rice’s delivery was a persistent threat, and Dan Burn was the target man throughout. A good chance from one corner confirmed that rehearsed routines are back in fashion.

England 3-0 Latvia

James’ Free-Kick Magic
If Tuchel wants goals from defenders, Reece James delivered emphatically. His thunderous free-kick in the 38th minute opened the scoring in style. It was a goal that oozed confidence and gave England a foothold in a game that had, until then, seen a packed Latvian back line frustrate the hosts.

Kane Keeps Climbing
Harry Kane’s 71st international goal wasn’t a classic, but his timing and positioning remain textbook. His reliability under Tuchel, as it was under Southgate, provides England with a constant threat.

Eze Breaks Through
Eberechi Eze’s first England goal came as part of an impressive individual display. The Crystal Palace midfielder danced through challenges all evening, and his composed finish capped off the win, providing a reward for Tuchel’s decision to hand him a central role.

Conclusions

Two games, two wins, and no goals conceded show that the stats are favourable, but it’s the style and strategy behind the numbers that will have England fans cautiously optimistic.

What We’ve Learned So Far:

• Tactical Flexibility: Tuchel is unafraid to shift systems with a 3-4-3 base morphing into a 4-2-3-1 in attack.
• Youth Emphasis: Emerging talents are being trusted, and that trust is being rewarded.
• High Standards: Even in comfortable wins, Tuchel demands more, especially from his forward line.

Tuchel knows full well that early goodwill can evaporate quickly in the England job. But what we’ve seen in these opening fixtures suggests a manager with a clear vision and the tactical pedigree to execute it.

More tests will come. Stiffer opposition awaits. But for now, Tuchel’s England is walking the walk with quiet confidence and tactical clarity.