FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

Kane saying Tuchel has learned a lot during this tournament is telling words. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g34gjmyl7o

 

Just think if we'd have Been braver over the last 8 years after tonight we could have Been holding 3 world cups and 2 European championships

 

On Spence, I'm glad this place was a beacon of sanity (in general) over his call up. The absolute bollox that got written about his inclusion in other places was infuriating. His stock has risen incredibly during this tournament the only downside is that his club teammate Porro's might have gone up even more.

I see there are links about him leaving Spurs, and I think Tottenham wouldn't be completely against it. But there is absolutely no chance the likes of Inter will put up enough money.

 

Fireworks, trophy for finishing 3rd? I should hope not, Ive heard it described as the wooden spoon winners - the wooden spoon is what the LAST place team in the six nations receives, the players dont even want to play in this game (and who can blame them). I guarantee that France v England does NOT finish 4-6 if it was a World Cup 1/4 final. I didn't see the game but watched the post match this morning, was wonderful to see the mutual respect between the teams and fans, unlike the previous game. France v England would have made a much better final and much better advert for the game.

 

That´s vastly over the top but I´m pretty sure England could have had at least one Euro title by now with a more fearless approach

 

In the last Euro’s Spain were by far the best team, I’m not sure us being braver would have helped us beat them. Only the Italy final and the Argentina game the other night are missed opportunities imo but even if we would have beat them, Spain would have been a huge challenge once again and wouldn’t fancy our chances. The France quarter final just didn’t go our way despite playing pretty well but still miles away from being a certain World Cup win. Anyway, it is what it is, no point on going down the what if line.

 

No we couldn't.

 

Just Rover going through one of his mad moments, lol

 

And I still think VAR should have cancelled France´s first goal for a foul on Saka in the build-up. Well I certainly know a team against which their first wouldn´t have counted...

 

Really defeats the purpose of the reason of him being hired, though of course it was always going to be said. He will lead England into Euro 2028, and I sincerely hope he does use this as a learning experience. But there were so many mistakes this tournament that were absolutely amateur and he shouldn't have needed to learn. All culminating in that Argentina game. Everything about how he handled this seemed to me like someone who'd paid very little attention to international football till he decided to become a international team manager.

On the football side, that first Nations League window with the 4 games at the end September I think will tell us if he did actually learn anything, and his first squad will be very telling on that.

I do also think in general this does show that we should be looking for a post Tuchel manager to be someone who has actually worked in international football, be that Carsley or otherwise. All these things about learning about the particulars of international summer tournaments, these are things we shouldn't need to use a cycle for people to clue themselves up on. In particular i'll pull my hair out if we get another manager post-Tuchel talking about getting the side playing like a premier league team, because its instantly revealing they know nothing about international football.

 

To me. That answer about Saka. He did not say something like Saka was not fit on Wednesday, but made huge improvements from then until Saturday. What he basically said was that he needed Rogers to start. The problem with that is that is that there is no natural position for Rogers to start in. He is a utility player, someone that can fill several roles in emergencies to satisfaction, but nothing more. But Tuchel decided he must start. So then a natural starter must be sacrificed. And for that he chose Saka.

To me that is panicking, Rogers became Tuchels safety blanket. It's defensive thinking. And that along with a team that were already on fumes physically and mentally after 6 tough games, was what we got into the game against Argentina with.

 

I think a lot that was because of how bad Spurs season had been.and because a lot of people were upset that none of Shaw, Hall or Lewis-Skelly had been called up.

I can see less changes than perhaps maybe people hope for that Nations League squad and of course some questionable decisions and odd lineups. I feel like last night will make him more convinced his path should not change at all.
Graham Potter prehaps? Sweden are on the up so should be able to make Euro 2028 as well. Pochettino is surely out due to his nationality.

 

Actually only watched the first half. France were playing like they were drunk, and, honestly, I'm kinda burnt out with the world cup at this point.

That said, I think this result was important to illustrate that the sky isn't falling. We are producing talent at rates the likes of Italy and Argentina can only dream of. The fact that Mctominay can dominate the Italian league shows that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the classic English/British midfielder. Spain will forever be our kryptonite, but Spain is a unique problem for everyone.

Argentina was ours to win, and we bottled it, certainly. But there was no Pirlo or Rodri pulling the strings this time. We simply sat back far too early, and paid the price.

I'm in the camp that we may as well stick with Tuchel, but his squad selections will certainly be under a lot more scrutiny going forward.

I think Argentina will lose tonight. I'll be happy to see once again the sportsmanship so characteristic to that side.

 

The thing of it is, is its one thing to say you want Rogers to start but to not bring Saka on at all?

Even from a defensive perspective, Saka is absolutely one of the best and most intelligent attacking players defensively. That's before you even consider what a weapon he can be on the counter.

Rogers played 4 different positions in his last 4 appearances for England which tells you everything.

 

Cheers Captain Obvious, I know the reasons. Btw Spurs season was bad because of one man and one man only, Thomas Frank.

 

So Tuchel said that if Saka was to come on then something else also had to change. Which means he felt he could not just make a 1 to 1 substitution, Saka for Rogers. This again implies he needed his safety blanket Rogers on the pitch. It is just a continuation of the panicking.

And next thing we know. We lost and Argentina thanks us for doing stupid things like not using Saka.

 

That would’ve made us the greatest international team in history so it seems somewhat unlikely.

 

There is another solution if Henderson is deemed so important behind the scenes and that’s make him part of the backroom staff. His role could be ‘ chief cheerleader ‘. It would be absolutely absurd to still be picking him next season just because of his off field qualities rather than being deserved by what he does on field. If it does happen, he’s basically using a coaching role to take a squad place.

 

Argentina have won 2 copa Americas and potentially 2 world cups

 

When I say we could have won 3 World Cups I'm including 1966

 

Now Rogers is the most expensive English footballer of all time he will probably become more important to Tuchel not less. Even after being anonymous last night (That was a remarkable thing last night that multiple players did little and yet the team played well).

 

Surely Igor Tudor shares some of the blame as well?

 

It's going to be interesting but I'm not expecting a ton of changes, injuries permitting. He won't now see the players again until the 21/22nd September, there will only be 5 rounds of EPL fixtures before the Spain game and, probably, only 4 before he announces his squad. Players who missed out on the World Cup will really have to hit the ground running to break back into the reckoning.

 

You think he picks his team on price?

 

No