THOMAS TUCHEL should be applauded for allowing his team to play without the handbrake on.
But it would also help if the team knew how to park the bus — which clearly they do not — while the German manager’s odd squad selection could bite him on the backside.
Thomas Tuchel has let England play attacking football Credit: Getty
The defence did cause concern in the win over Croatia Credit: Reuters
After in the opening game, England should have no problems topping the group as they will probably batter both Ghana and Panama.
This means England, following their successful trip to the home of the , will feature in another match under a roof — in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 1 — in the last 32 against a third-placed team.
England’s pubs are likely to be packed then as the noon kick-off time would be 5pm back home.
While Tuchel does genuinely seem to love the fact that England’s A-list attacking force — which includes and — is getting fans excited, this defence will give some of them a heart attack.
Despite much criticism, and whether you like his style or not, has perfected the art of defending with his team.
If Tuchel could bring in the Gunners’ back four of Jurrien Timber, , Gabriel and , England would win the World Cup because their midfield and attack is so strong.
England did not concede a single goal in World Cup qualifying but this is irrelevant.
This defence could still be their undoing.
Although if they play the way they did in the second half on Wednesday in the final third, it will be one hell of a ride.
The full-back situation is a mess.
It could have been partially corrected by replacing the crocked Tino Livramento with a like-for-like replacement.
Instead, Tuchel brought in centre-back .
Tuchel would benefit from having Arsenal’s backline Credit: Alamy
The Gunners’ defence was a big reason behind their Premier League title win Credit: Getty
Therefore, England do not have a fully fit, in-form, natural full-back.
Nico O’Reilly has been playing well but he is a midfielder who is being squeezed in at the back.
He even featured in midfield in the Three Lions’ first warm-up game against .
He is a great talent but, potentially, could be exposed by a cunning, experienced right-winger.
Reece James is an important player at right-back Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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, who Tuchel likes for his pace, did well when he came on against Croatia in the second half but he is still lucky to be in the squad and there are doubts about his quality.
can also play at left-back but he is a central defender.
is England’s best right-back but after another injury-hit season, he is obviously not 100 per cent match fit.
Tuchel claims bringing in Chalobah will now free up as a right-back but he is a centre-back who plays in a three-man defence at .
It was ridiculous that Tuchel did not pick for the squad after a good season at left-back for but he has not featured for the Three Lions since the Euro 2024 final.
So, his omission was not a surprise.
Clearly, Tuchel does not rate star .
Arsenal’s — another central defender who now plays at right-back — would have been selected had he not suffered an injury.
Trevoh Chalobah was called up after Tino Livramento’s injury Credit: Instagram @@chalobah
Equally, has also played at right-back but he is a centre-back, not that he and covered themselves in glory against Croatia.
For Stones, this was only his eighth match of 2026 and although a class defender, he continues to have injury issues and even struggled at the end of this game.
Tuchel said: “I think he had cramps in both legs in the end because it was intense.
“We saw the numbers already. They really put a shift in.
“The players said it was quite humid and difficult to digest so I think John was just like everyone else.”
At least Tuchel accepted the defending was poor against Croatia.
He said: “We just dropped way too early into a deep block. From a middle block… way too early into a deep block.
“In the second half, it was much better. We were much more active and aggressive.”
England are certainly still learning — and so is Tuchel in international football.
England won their World Cup opening game against Croatia Credit: Getty
For years under , the back four was or , Stones, and Shaw.
Jordan Pickford, Stones, , Bellingham and Kane were the only players who started both Wednesday’s game and also the first group match of Qatar 2022, a 6-2 win over Iran.
and also featured in both — but, generally, those days are long gone.
We are now in a different era and Tuchel’s team needs to start learning fast.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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