England World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina still dey pain. E feel like di wound wey no dey heal as di so-called years of hurt don reach six decades. But recovery don start quick. Di extended international break and four Nations League games give head coach Thomas Tuchel chance to rebuild after dem criticise him well well for defensive tactics in dat defeat for Atlanta.
Tuchel squad carry players wey dem recall after exclusion and some new faces. Mainstays like captain Harry Kane still remain di centrepiece of him plans. So wetin Tuchel learn from England start to Nations League campaign?
There was inevitability say England captain Kane go be star man in Tuesday 3-0 win over Czech Republic as he celebrate equalling Peter Shilton record of 125 England caps. Kane, 33, still irreplaceable, add to him goals tally as England all-time record scorer. Him total of 91 now 38 ahead of Wayne Rooney, who second with 53 goals in 120 games. With Kane still for him prime and fit, e only matter of time before he become first player to score 100 goals for England.
Dat one alone go don delight Tuchel, but even more satisfying for di German na say he now get attacking quartet wey can threaten any side for world football. Kane na di peerless spearhead. Anthony Gordon, on target in three Nations League games against Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia before dem rest am at Wembley, don move him game to another level since he join Barcelona from Newcastle. Gordon na creator with burning pace. On right flank, Bukayo Saka look rejuvenated after World Cup wey Achilles injury hamper am, as he prove with two goals in Croatia. And just behind them, with everything stamped with world class, na Jude Bellingham, England player of di year and golden future at only 23.
Dis one fit be bad news for Chelsea Cole Palmer, whose withdrawal from England squad allow others cement place in front of him. Nottingham Forest Morgan Gibbs-White prove him commitment by cutting short family holiday to join squad after dem initially exclude am. England front four look natural fit, augmented by Chelsea Morgan Rogers, while Liverpool 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha go be international contender for years. If Tuchel keep him fab four fit and firing, England go be danger to any opponent.
Inside camp of positives, major disappointment for England and Tuchel na injury Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott suffer after outstanding debut in 7-0 win in Croatia. Scott slip seamlessly into England midfield with powerful running, complete range of passing and energy to him link play wey make di 23-year-old look perfectly at home for international level. Scott emergence show di array of riches Tuchel get for central midfield, even with Arsenal Declan Rice, a fixture in team, out as dem manage him load after injury. Tuchel talk say: ‘Is Declan still for me a fixed point in my team? Yes, but some other players are coming and impressing and it’s an ongoing competition.’
E no really be shot across Rice bows, but e show di options England get. So di thigh injury wey rule Scott out against Czech Republic na blow to Scott and England, and to Bournemouth, who fear he go sideline for two months. Elliot Anderson, Manchester City £116m summer purchase from Nottingham Forest, also go from strength to strength after good World Cup. Tuchel ready to give Arsenal 20-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly him head in central midfield for these Nations League games. Everton James Garner also figure and get big admirer in Tuchel, wey even refer to am as England ‘mini Valverde’ – a small tongue-in-cheek reference to Real Madrid midfielder Federico perhaps, but sign of how highly dem rate am. Manchester United Kobbie Mainoo pull out injured while Crystal Palace Adam Wharton, so highly-rated, never force him way into Tuchel plans.
Tuchel treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold don provide constant backdrop to him time as England head coach. Di apparent mistrust of Real Madrid right-back defensive frailties culminate in him exclusion from World Cup squad. Alexander-Arnold card look marked from moment Tuchel, after leaving am out of World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in August 2025, talk say: ‘If he wants to have this impact in the English national team then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.’ Tuchel add: ‘Because when we are talking, especially about qualifying football, and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100% awake, can be decisive. It can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.’
Tuchel however set those reservations to one side when he recall am for these four Nations League games. Alexander-Arnold respond with performances wey simply demand him continued inclusion. Di 27-year-old make him first start under Tuchel – in fact him first since scoring in Nations League win in Finland in October 2024 – against Czech Republic in Prague. He show extra dimension with world-class cross for Gordon opener. Alexander-Arnold also potent force against Czechs at Wembley, forcing fine early save from keeper Lukas Hornicek with 30-yard free-kick then providing several more trademark dangerous crosses. True, any potential defensive deficiencies dem no probe, but Alexander-Arnold show enough class and creation to surely avoid being discarded again by Tuchel.
Newcastle United Lewis Hall emerge as one of big winners from England opening round of Nations League matches, making strong case to become Tuchel long-term left-back. Hall step in for three matches after Manchester City Nico O'Reilly, first choice at World Cup and for opening game against Spain, return to him club with injury. E allow Hall, who just sign new contract tying am to Newcastle until 2031, opportunity to stake him claim – and he do so in style. Di 22-year-old impress in both games against Czech Republic and also in di rout in Croatia. One key factor sure to play out in him favour: Hall left-flank partnership with former Newcastle United teammate Gordon look natural fit. Di pair work in tandem to perfection in manner wey go give Tuchel serious food for thought. O’Reilly do nothing wrong, but questions remain whether he be natural left-back or simply converted midfield player. Hall look di part in every respect. He don make am difficult for Tuchel to leave am out, di link with Gordon only adding to di attraction for England head coach.
