Tuchel’s England: A New Era or Just the Same Old Story?

Thomas Tuchel promised excitement, intensity, and a bold new England. But after 90 minutes of déjà vu against Latvia, it’s clear that revolution doesn’t happen overnight. If you’ve seen one England qualifier, you’ve seen them all—predictable, slow-burning, and ultimately routine.

Since taking over, Tuchel has been vocal about England’s failings under Gareth Southgate—criticizing their lack of identity and hunger at Euro 2024. But against a Latvia side ranked 140th in the world, his new-look Three Lions felt eerily familiar. The same sluggish buildup, the same struggles to break down deep-sitting opposition, and yes, the same paper aeroplanes floating down from the Wembley stands. The first one hit the pitch after 14 minutes—faster than it did against Albania. Progress?

England, as expected, got there in the end. Reece James, in his first international start since 2022, finally broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick before halftime. Latvia barely crossed the halfway line after the break, and England sealed the win with two second-half goals—Harry Kane tapping in his 71st international goal and Eberechi Eze marking his moment with a deflected strike.

It was a night of familiar sights. The Mexican wave. The empty seats before the final whistle. The nagging feeling that England should be doing more. Even the near-disaster moment was textbook—Jude Bellingham, already on a yellow, lunging into a reckless challenge that could have seen him sent off. The referee’s mercy spared England an unnecessary crisis.

For all the talk of a Tuchel transformation, England’s qualifying routine remains unchanged: a struggle, a breakthrough, and a forgettable win against outmatched opponents. But with tougher tests ahead, will this slow-burn evolution be enough when the real challenges arrive?