Despite England’s 2-0 win, Tuchel criticises Rashford and Foden for failing to make an impact.

England’s World Cup qualifying campaign began with a 2-0 win over Albania, but Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge was far from smooth. The new head coach was quick to express disappointment with the performance, singling out Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden for failing to deliver in wide positions.

Tuchel, known for his tactical discipline and high standards, did not hold back in his post-match analysis. While Myles Lewis-Skelly’s debut goal and Harry Kane’s late strike sealed the win, the German coach made it clear that England must improve.

Tuchel Calls for More from Rashford & Foden

Both Rashford and Foden were given the chance to impress but struggled to impact the game. Their lack of attacking threat led to Tuchel substituting both players, and in his post-match comments, he made his frustration known.

“We hope for more impact in these positions,” Tuchel stated. “More dribbling, more aggressive runs towards the box. That was missing. The best chances come from those runs behind the defence, but they weren’t as decisive as they can be.”

The England boss also questioned whether Foden lacks belief when playing for his country. “We will encourage him to do what he does best—take defenders on, play with confidence,” Tuchel said. “Both our wingers were not as impactful as they are in club football. I’m not sure why we struggled to get the ball to them quickly.”

Disjointed Second Half Raises Concerns

Despite securing the win, England looked shaky after the break. Tuchel admitted his side lacked discipline and were vulnerable to counterattacks. “We lost confidence in our structure in the second half,” he explained. “That left us open, and we need to do better.”

The German manager stressed the need for more urgency in England’s attacking play. “There was too much passing, not enough dribbling, not enough aggression towards goal,” he said. “They trained well, they’ve been decisive for their clubs, but we need to see that on the pitch.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines on Debut

One of the few bright spots for England was 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, who opened the scoring with a composed finish. His performance caught Tuchel’s attention.

“Amazing player, amazing personality,” Tuchel said. “He came into camp and showed straight away why he belongs here. It’s normal to fall in love with a player like him. He’s full of courage and quality.”

Anthony Gordon Injury Adds to Concerns

Adding to England’s worries, substitute Anthony Gordon was seen limping off the pitch, raising doubts about his availability for the next match against Latvia.

“It does not look good,” Tuchel admitted. “It’s a bit worrying.”

With England’s World Cup campaign underway, Tuchel has made it clear that improvements are needed. The victory was secured, but the performance left plenty to be desired.