England’s Quiet Reboot: Tuchel Ditches the Stars for a United XI
10 October 2025
From Stars to a Team-Centric England
Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, voiced his displeasure with the Three Lions’ star-driven approach after their 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley, yet his satisfaction with the performance and selections was evident.
On the day, the German coach directed unusually sharp criticism at a silent crowd, a message that went beyond a single post-match gripe and hinted at a broader philosophy for the team’s future.
That stance goes beyond the abrupt omission of Jude Bellingham from the latest squad; it signals a shift away from the era of individual legends toward a collective identity Tuchel is eager to build.
Leaving out Bellingham, given his status and his return from shoulder surgery, was understandable, especially since he had played only once since coming back.
Yet Tuchel rewarded those who delivered the victory, notably Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, who operated as a de facto No. 10 and seized his moment from the start.
Rogers opened after three minutes with a crisp strike from close range, set up the second for Ollie Watkins after eight, and helped complete a white-hot 20-minute spell finished by Bukayo Saka.
Early in the second half, Rogers almost added another with a hit against the woodwork and earned a warm reception as he was substituted in the 69th minute.
Statistically, he delivered 24 passes with 19 successful, created two chances and scored one goal, prompting Tuchel to say, “Rogers is what you see. He’s a No. 10, fighting for his place. He’s moving in the right direction.”
Tuchel stressed the need for a collective effort: “The team makes the difference. We can rely on Kane, but we must learn to play without him and without Bellingham, because they are injured.”
And yet a new leadership was on display as Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest produced a third solid performance in a row, distributing 77 passes (74 successful), creating two chances and winning the ball six times, prompting praise from the manager: “Morgan and Elliott are humble and gifted at the same time, a wonderful mix.”
The win, achieved without several injured stars, gave a legitimizing push to Tuchel’s project, with England appearing more cohesive than at any time in recent memory.
Had the result gone the other way, the coach would have faced fresh criticism, but the mood after the final whistle suggested he is beginning to wield real influence over the national team’s keys.
Perhaps for that reason Tuchel also sent a pointed message to Bellingham after the match: he will attend the 2026 World Cup, but his place is not guaranteed, as the manager is prepared to move forward without him if necessary.
England now head to Latvia in Riga next, with a growing sense of unity and strength. Another positive result would seal a World Cup berth and reinforce a project built on cohesion rather than celebrity.
In the end, Tuchel’s England is not just tinkering with formation; it is redefining identity, a shift from star clusters to a well-oiled team machine.
Punchline 1: If this team keeps turning up, the only thing shining brighter than Kane’s goals will be Tuchel’s post-match grin—no stars, just a proper constellation of effort.
Punchline 2: And if the crowd ever doubts the plan, they can always blame the weather in Riga—because even the wind knows when a team is finally playing as one, not just as a gallery of fancy players.
