Thomas Tuchel will aim to follow in the footsteps of each of the past ten England managers by winning his first game in charge of the national team.
However, much more than the result will be gleamed from tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Albania and the encounter with Latvia on Monday. This is the first opportunity that England’s new head coach has got to lay out how he wants his team to play.
Having talked about England needing to regain the “excitement and hunger to win” and wanting his team to play in an ‘English style’, Tuchel can set out his stall in these upcoming fixtures.
The 51-year-old head coach has a full squad of 26 players to choose from, and his team selection will provide an insight into the future.
Protected Pickford?
It would be a surprise should Jordan Pickford not start Tuchel’s first game. Since his debut in 2017, he has been England’s No.1 and barely missed a game under Gareth Southgate, who trusted him at four major finals and was never let down.
Given his form and experience with the national team — as well as the nine clean sheets he has kept for his club this season — the Everton ‘keeper has every right to feel he should remain England’s constant at the back.
However, Tuchel decided to include four goalkeepers in his first squad, with Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson, Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford of Burnley also part of the cohort. And if Tuchel really wanted to mark the start of a fresh era, he would install a ‘keeper of his own.
Henderson would be the likeliest to get the nod, given he has performed well for Palace and kept the same number of clean sheets as Pickford, but Trafford’s remarkable 26 shutouts in 37 games for Burnley trump the lot. Yet, it feels a little too soon for the 22-year-old.
Time to anoint a left-back?
Age, though, shouldn’t stop Tuchel from starting Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old has broken into the Arsenal starting XI this season and has been mightily impressive despite his lack of experience.
This was Lewis-Skelly’s first call-up for the national team, and although it was deserved and on merit, he was the only natural left-back that was readily available for Tuchel.
The left side of defence has been a problem area for England for some time, and if Tuchel is to opt for a back four as expected, then appointing a player with time on his side to make the position his own would be wise.
In the future, Lewis Hall will surely have designs on England’s left back spot, and there could be healthy competition down the line between the Arsenal tyro and the Newcastle United player, who is absent from this camp through injury.
Someone to partner Rice
Another enduring debate when it comes to national team selection is: Who should partner Declan Rice? It has been a headache for the Three Lions since Kalvin Phillip’s drop-off and featured the failed experiment of Trent Alexander-Arnold starting in the position during last summer’s Euros.
Depending on the configuration of his side, this is where Tuchel may chose to reshuffle a little. He could have Jude Bellingham play slightly deeper, alongside Rice, in a two-man midfield, and against deeper opposition this would increase the amount of attackers on the pitch.
If Tuchel does want his team to play with more hunger and move the ball up the pitch a little quicker, then it could be worth a try. Another possibility could be Curtis Jones, who has been included in this squad ahead of Adam Wharton and Angel Gomes.
When Kobbie Mainoo is back available, he will surely be given an opportunity to press his case. Jordan Henderson who despite being in good shape is 34 years old and shouldn’t be banked upon for a tournament in over 12 months' time, cannot be seen as the future.
Direct forwards needed to dovetail Kane
Naturally, Tuchel will adapt his team according to the opposition, but on most occasions, England will be the dominant side and need to make things happen in the final third against a more defensive unit.
The head coach is without Bukayo Saka, who has been a key figure on England’s right flank, but still has plenty of options to take a look at.
Marcus Rashford’s first call-up in 18 months only underlined his return to form since joining Aston Villa on loan. He appears to be regaining his confidence in new surroundings and his recent performances are such that he is possibly England’s most in-form forward.
Anthony Gordon is another player with pace to get in behind defences and seems to fit Tuchel’s idea of how England should play. He is always keen to get forward.
Phil Foden was possibly the biggest disappointment of the Southgate era and, by his standards, has had a below-par season with Manchester City, but his quality is obvious and Tuchel should make it his personal mission to get him functioning well in this England side.
Possible XI
Clearly, Tuchel is missing some key players for his first two games (John Stones, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka are all absent through injury) but there are still options available for him to set out his stall for the future.
A 4-2-3-1 line-up for the future: Pickford; Livramento, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jones; Foden, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
