The Three Lions scored five unanswered goals at Wembley across the past four days but the German has been left with plenty to ponder…
English football has entered a bold new era, although, to be brutally honest, it doesn't look that much different to the old one. Not yet, at least.
Everyone knows that Gareth Southgate's England played atrocious football on their fortuitous run to the final of Euro 2024 but it was nonetheless surprising that the new manager, Thomas Tuchel, publicly admitted as much last week.
In his native Germany last summer, Tuchel said he saw a Three Lions team burdened by the weight of expectancy, inhibited by a fear of defeat and lacking in rhythm, hunger, identity and a clear playing style. Unfortunately for the former Chelsea boss, all of those flaws were evident in his first two games in charge.
"These [2026 World Cup] qualifiers bring a bit of tension," Tuchel told reporters. "What happens when the going gets tough, how will the players react? It is important to get better, so it is good, because I learn about my team and my team learns about me."
But what major lessons will Tuchel have taken away from his first full week with his new squad? GOAL runs through the biggest talking points below…
Getty Images SportKane can still be counted upon
The build-up to the international break was once again punctuated by the ludicrous claims in certain sections of the English press that Harry Kane was the national team's 'biggest problem'.
Unsurprisingly, the Bayern Munich striker issued the perfect riposte, scoring in both qualifiers to extend his historic haul for his country to 71 goals in just 105 games – which is a truly sensational strike-rate and yet Kane's consistency is either downplayed or taken for granted by some of his compatriots.
Kane may be 31 but he's clearly not past it. He's scored 10 times in 11 Champions League outings this season, and has nine goals in his last 16 appearances at international level. Given the worrying lack of legitimate challengers to lead the line, England really would be lost without him.
Obviously, Kane's presence up top means serious thought has to go into who to position around him in order to play to his strengths. But the situation is hardly comparable to Portugal continuing to carry Cristiano Ronaldo in attack. Unlike the Al-Nassr attacker, Kane is still delivering at the very highest level and capable of contributing outside of the area.
Of course, Tuchel needs no convincing of Kane's enduring quality but the former Bayern boss will have been delighted to see his skipper issue a timely reminder that he can still be counted upon to put the ball in the back of the net.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportKonsa could be key for Tuchel
With John Stones and Harry Maguire ruled out through injury and Jarrad Branthwaite inexplicably overlooked, the stage was set for Marc Guehi to establish himself as one of the pillars of Tuchel's England defence.
However, Guehi didn't even get off the bench in the 2-0 win over Albania, with man of the moment Dan Burn picked ahead of him, and looked desperately shaky in Monday's 3-0 defeat of Latvia, with the Crystal Palace centre-back guilty of a couple of slips that could easily have led to goals.
By complete contrast, Ezri Konsa, who started both matches, couldn't have looked much more at home at Wembley and his only disappointment was probably failing to open his international account against Latvia after the ball dropped invitingly for the Aston Villa ace in the area after an England corner.
A lot can obviously change over the next 15 months but with some of his more senior rivals for a starting spot struggling for either form or fitness, and Tuchel seemingly unconvinced by the more youthful contenders, the 27-year-old Konsa now appears perfectly placed to lock down a starting spot in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Getty Images SportLewis-Skelly offers answer to left-back problem
Tuchel took a risk even just calling up Myles Lewis-Skelly, so immediately starting the 18-year-old makeshift left-back with just 14 Premier League appearances to his name was one hell of a gamble.
Still, there were mitigating circumstances. With Lewis Hall and the perma-crocked Luke Shaw out injured, Tuchel had no other attractive options. Secondly, a home game against Albania represented a very gentle introduction to international football. And, thirdly, and perhaps most importantly of all, Lewis-Skelly is already really, really good.
Still, it was impressive to see just how easily the Arsenal academy graduate dealt with the pressure, with Lewis-Skelly becoming the youngest debutant ever to score for England with a wonderfully composed finish.
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a midfielder by trade, Lewis-Skelly also looked the part every time he stepped into more central areas, which only strengthened the belief that Tuchel may have already found an answer to England's longstanding left-back problem.
Getty Images SportEngland need Saka back ASAP
Making do without Bukayo Saka is not easy. Just ask Mikel Arteta. But the hope was that England wouldn't have quite so much difficulty filling the void left by the injured Saka, given the wealth of attacking talent available to Tuchel.
However, two try-outs ended in disappointment.
Phil Foden got the nod to start on the right wing against Albania but he performed dismally on the night – and the sad thing is that his no-show didn't really come as that much of a surprise.
Foden has long flattered to deceive for his country – truth be told, he was lucky to even be included in the latest squad – while his fluctuating form has also become a cause for concern at Manchester City this season.
Jarrod Bowen was a little livelier than Foden against Latvia and was arguably unlucky not to win a penalty during the first half but his overall performance was poor.
The bottom line, then, England need Saka back in the squad as soon as possible as he is clearly irreplaceable.
