The hidden strength of England

Since Thomas Tuchel took over as England manager, questions have been raised about the team’s style of play and tactics. However, in England’s 2-0 win over Albania on 21 March, there were some clear signs that a new way of playing is beginning to emerge, although there is still much to be done.

The match was not perfect, but it did highlight a key factor that could determine England's success at the upcoming World Cup: Marcus Rashford.

Not a great victory but meaningful

England’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania followed a familiar pattern that England fans are all too familiar with. Tuchel’s side had plenty of possession, but their movement and chances were lacking in pace and incisiveness.

However, it was an easy 2-0 win, there is nothing to argue about the result, but it will not mean much in terms of the further goal: winning the World Cup.

One of the interesting things about this match is that Tuchel has had the opportunity to experiment with new tactics, although he has yet to completely change the way England play. In the past, England under Gareth Southgate have had similar victories, with a lot of possession and not enough attacking flair.

However, these matches are not the place to evaluate the true strength of the team, because the opponents are mainly teams with very low defense, not really challenging England's attacking ability.

With the World Cup on the horizon, Tuchel will have to do more than just get through the qualifying rounds. England face a huge test against the likes of Argentina, France, Spain and Brazil. They will be facing teams with tactical systems and quality players that are a far cry from the weaker opponents they have typically faced in qualifying.

Marcus Rashford (right) was recently recalled to the England squad.

One of the big issues Tuchel needs to address is building a squad that is not only good in qualifying, but also versatile and effective against stronger opponents. This requires a long-term strategy, and much of the work will be done on the training pitch, not the pitch.

Players will need to understand their roles in the squad, while Tuchel must also perfect the tactical system to be able to lead England to success at the World Cup.

Rashford - the player who can make the difference?

During the match against Albania, one particular moment sparked hope for England fans. In the 26th minute, Harry Kane, with his ability to drop deep to create space for his teammates, made a pass to Marcus Rashford.

While the passing wasn't easy and Rashford didn't get the perfect touch, the important thing is that it was a clear sign of how England could operate under Tuchel.

While players like Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka may excel technically, and Phil Foden stands out for his tactical intelligence, Rashford has the qualities that England desperately need: the ability to run quickly and powerfully into space behind the opposition defence. This could open up a whole new way of playing for England, where Kane would not have to shoulder all the attacking duties, and instead players like Rashford would be the ones to create chances directly.

Rashford may not have been at his best recently, having moved from Manchester United to Aston Villa, but when he is at his best he is one of England's finest strikers. His quick movement, decisiveness on the ball and, most importantly, his ability to finish one-on-one with the goalkeeper are all factors that make Rashford an integral part of Tuchel's game.

With Rashford, England have the right players for quick counter-attacks.

In the past, England have had problems integrating Kane with other strikers. Kane is a striker who can drop deep to stretch the opposition defence, but this has left the team lacking players who can exploit the space he creates.

In recent matches, England have not had the quick and intelligent players to get behind Kane, which has made their attacks lack variation.

However, with Rashford, things could change. When Kane drops deep, Rashford could be the one to access the space behind the opposition defence.

The two could form a formidable attacking duo, with Kane stretching defences and Rashford running into those spaces, taking the opportunity to score. That’s the piece that England have been missing for years.

While the Albania game was not a great performance, the signs from the Kane-Rashford combination show great potential. Tuchel needs to continue to develop his tactical system, getting the best out of each player in the team. England need to improve their style of play to compete with the best teams in the world.

If Tuchel can maintain a balance between technique and tactics, and exploit the qualities of Kane, Rashford and other players, England can absolutely become a strong candidate for the 2026 World Cup. Besides, Rashford, with his ability to create breakthroughs and attack directly, can be the most important player in Tuchel's strategy.

With players like Kane, Rashford, and other stars in the squad, England can look forward to a successful summer next year.