For all of his accomplishments, which include a Champions League title, two Ligue 1 winner’s medals and a Bundesliga triumph with Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel is yet to fully inject his philosophy into his England squad in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
In fact he’s done quite the opposite, with many saying England have regressed under Tuchel since Gareth Southgate left his role as manager following the 2024 European Championships – which the Three Lions lost to Spain in the final.
Tuchel’s side pose a 100 percent record from their four World Cup qualifying matches so far but it’s the performances against these opponents that have failed to impress. Their most recent qualifying matches, both against Andorra, highlighted England’s lack of resolve the most.
England's missing clinical edge
One weakness that radiated from the Villa Park pitch on Saturday was England’s lack of a clinical edge, though the chances were certainly there. In the first half, Eberechi Eze found space to shoot from the edge of the penalty area but his effort was flat, and straight at Iker Álvarez in goal.
Only seven minutes later, Eze fired once again when he met Declan Rice’s pullback; this time the Arsenal attacking midfielder found more success with his contact on the ball, but it still wasn’t enough to beat the in-form Andorran goalkeeper.
Problems persisted even after Christian Garcia's own-goal, which gave England the lead, with Eze — who must remain in the starting squad for England’s first match in Belgrade since 1987 — forcing Alvarez into another stunning stop on 50 minutes before Marcus Rashford bent the rebound around the wrong side of the far post.
All of England’s significant chances came from the wide areas in that game, including both goals, and Tuchel must take this into account despite the standout players starring in the midfield throughout.
Elliot Anderson seems the future of this England team after a remarkable debut, while Rice scored the second, and last, goal of the victory in an underwhelming clash in the West Midlands. Belgrade, unquestionably, will pose a much more fierce atmosphere and one that Tuchel will have to overcome in his hardest test yet.
The challenge waiting in Belgrade
How will his side overcome a Serbia team who are unbeaten in 2025, though? That’s the challenge, of course. But there are a few things Tuchel can do to help suppress this lethal camaraderie.
Dragan Stojkovic’s side have minimal weaknesses, but ones that can be exploited by England on Tuesday; the first being their vulnerability in transitions. It’s probably not in Tuchel’s plan to let Serbia have the ball but when they find an opportunity to break, England can counteract their transitional flaws to gain the edge on their opponents.
Their defence specifically will often find difficulty in tracking back due to there being a lack of pace coming from Nikola Milenkovic and Strahinja Pavlovic. Additionally, there is the risk of gaps being opened with a back-three positioned on a high line.
Pace out wide can decide it
This is where the pace of Noni Madueke, who had a sublime performance against Andorra on the weekend, will shine and, to Tuchel’s hope, create crucial chances. Rashford’s impact was benign, and perhaps a telling display will give the German manager a thought for who he will place on the left in Belgrade; maybe Anthony Gordon?
What came as a surprise at Villa Park was seeing Myles Lewis-Skelly start despite him only featuring for Arsenal twice this season, with both cameos coming off the bench. For this test, the sixth of ten games for England in their quest for qualification, Tino Livramento could produce a stellar performance from the left-back position, as he did for Lee Carsley’s side in the European Under-21 Championships.
Reece James is unplayable in his native right-back role, while Eze’s chance creation and Harry Kane’s ability to score at any given opportunity warrants a starting place regardless of form.
Tuchel will most likely be criticised regardless of the result in Belgrade. But if he is to silence the doubters just enough to acclaim some hope from England supporters, it must be a better showing than at Villa Park on Saturday.
