Thomas Tuchel admits England's attacking stars need to step up, writes IAN LADYMAN as Three Lions face a nervous countdown to the World Cup after a string of limp performances
Thomas Tuchel doesn’t tend to do understatement but even so the frankness of his analysis of those who he needs to contribute big attacking moments at this summer’s World Cup was quite startling. ‘I would love them to have more numbers, meaning Bukayo [Saka], Noni [Madueke], Ebs [Eze], Anthony Gordon, even Cole Palmer, even Morgan Rogers. The England team that will face Japan – ranked at 18 by FIFA – at Wembley on Tuesday will be compromised by injuries, some more serious than others. A World Cup of ‘big moments rather than big performances’ is how his assistant Anthony Barry put it last winter when asked to look ahead to a hot American summer. For example, the late penalty that gave Uruguay parity would be given every day of the week at the World Cup.
Source: Daily Mail March 30, 2026 18:07 UTC
