‘There was a bit missing’ – Thomas Tuchel picks out two England players he wanted more from
Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been shy in calling out Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford’s displays from England’s 2-0 victory over Albania on Friday night. The Three Lions got off a winning start in Tuchel’s first match in charge thanks to goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane at Wembley Stadium. Tuchel is hoping for more impact from his wingers in England’s next clash against LatviaAFP It proved to be an historic night at the Home of Football as Arsenal starlet Lewis-Skelly became the youngest England player to score on their senior national team debut. Meanwhile Bayern Munich striker Kane sealed his place in the record books by becoming the first England player to score on his first appearance under three different managers [Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Roy Hodgson]. But for Manchester City star Foden and Aston Villa’s on-loan forward Rashford, the pair failed to impress in their 74 minutes of action. Foden mustered just two touches in Albania’s penalty box and failed to create any chances for his teammates. As for Rashford, he had six touches inside the opposing area, though he boasted just a 60 per cent dribble completion rate and managed just 35 successful passes. It should come as no surprise that Foden was handed a 4/10 rating by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham, with Rashford barely doing any better as he received a 5/10. Speaking to ITV after England’s victory, Tuchel was asked about the performances of the duo, who he deployed on the wings either side of skipper Kane. To which he said: “We hope for more impact in these positions. “I hope for a little bit more impact, more dribbling, less passes and more aggressive runs towards the box. “I think this in general was missing. Foden, who hasn’t scored since January, has struggled for consistency this seasonGetty Rashford hasn’t found the back of the net since December 1Getty “I think all the chances came from the little runs from little runs behind the line, Jude [Bellingham] had some good runs in the first half. “Myles scored from it, Kyle Walker one where he had a big chance to score the second one. “But there was a bit missing, they [Foden and Rashford] were not as decisive as they can be.” Manchester United legend Roy Keane then accused Foden, who hasn’t found the back of the net since January 25, of lacking confidence and warned the Manchester City star he’ll find himself out of the England team. He said in his post-match analysis: “I think he might be lacking in confidence. His club form isn’t great. “Every time he gets the ball I’m looking at him and not expecting anything from Foden. Foden and Rashford know there levels have to raise if they want a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squadGetty “You can affect the game in different ways and he didn’t do that tonight. “Foden won’t have that problem coming up of where he wants to play because he won’t be playing. “If you are one of the attacking players and you have dominated the opponents and not had a shot on target or tested the goalkeeper you would be disappointed. “You have to make an impression and Rashford and Foden didn’t do that certainly.” England are next in action at home to Latvia on Monday night, live on talkSPORT, with Foden and Rashford hoping to be given a second chance to impress.
Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been shy in calling out Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford’s displays from England’s 2-0 victory over Albania on Friday night.
The Three Lions got off a winning start in Tuchel’s first match in charge thanks to goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane at Wembley Stadium.
It proved to be an historic night at the Home of Football as Arsenal starlet Lewis-Skelly became the youngest England player to score on their senior national team debut.
Meanwhile Bayern Munich striker Kane sealed his place in the record books by becoming the first England player to score on his first appearance under three different managers [Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Roy Hodgson].
But for Manchester City star Foden and Aston Villa’s on-loan forward Rashford, the pair failed to impress in their 74 minutes of action.
Foden mustered just two touches in Albania’s penalty box and failed to create any chances for his teammates.
As for Rashford, he had six touches inside the opposing area, though he boasted just a 60 per cent dribble completion rate and managed just 35 successful passes.
It should come as no surprise that Foden was handed a 4/10 rating by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham, with Rashford barely doing any better as he received a 5/10.
Speaking to ITV after England’s victory, Tuchel was asked about the performances of the duo, who he deployed on the wings either side of skipper Kane.
To which he said: “We hope for more impact in these positions.
“I hope for a little bit more impact, more dribbling, less passes and more aggressive runs towards the box.
“I think this in general was missing.
“I think all the chances came from the little runs from little runs behind the line, Jude [Bellingham] had some good runs in the first half.
“Myles scored from it, Kyle Walker one where he had a big chance to score the second one.
“But there was a bit missing, they [Foden and Rashford] were not as decisive as they can be.”
Manchester United legend Roy Keane then accused Foden, who hasn’t found the back of the net since January 25, of lacking confidence and warned the Manchester City star he’ll find himself out of the England team.
He said in his post-match analysis: “I think he might be lacking in confidence. His club form isn’t great.
“Every time he gets the ball I’m looking at him and not expecting anything from Foden.
“You can affect the game in different ways and he didn’t do that tonight.
“Foden won’t have that problem coming up of where he wants to play because he won’t be playing.
“If you are one of the attacking players and you have dominated the opponents and not had a shot on target or tested the goalkeeper you would be disappointed.
“You have to make an impression and Rashford and Foden didn’t do that certainly.”
England are next in action at home to Latvia on Monday night, live on talkSPORT, with Foden and Rashford hoping to be given a second chance to impress.
