Jon Weall @jweall - Twitter Profile

jweall retweeted

19 days ago

Are England about to become the variety show? Is Thomas Tuchel about to release the handbrake? Is he prepared to risk control to, in his words, "embrace the chaos". The inclusion of such inventive, incisive passers as Cole Palmer, Alex Scott and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad for the forthcoming Nations League qualifiers suggests that Tuchel is prepared to go for the jugular more. All three can launch attacks in differing ways: Palmer with a dribble through the final third and killer pass or finish; Scott with a pass from midfield as he demonstrates for Bournemouth; and Alexander-Arnold with a 60-yard pass from full-back to release a forward runner or whipped cross from higher upfield. (nb: Alexander-Arnold may not have been recalled had Reece James, Ben White or Djed Spence been fit). Tuchel acknowledged that England needed some more variety, and that sometimes risk-taking was rewarded. Palmer, Scott and Alexander-Arnold offer control, being blessed with the technique to keep possession, but also an ability to offer more speed and threat in transition. “Football without control is sometimes hard to digest for a coach,” Tuchel said. “If you look at the 6-4 against France (third-place game in Miami), people talk about it like it's one of their nicest experiences ever to watch a match. So maybe I have to compromise my urge for control for a little bit more chaos, embrace the chaos, and maybe it brings out the best.” He spoke of England having “to adapt” but always in keeping with the “strengths of the players”. Tuchel was asked whether Palmer, Scott and Alexander-Arnold offered those strengths with their passing. “We want to bring in that quality. We want to see them again. We want to give them the chance to perform. "Scott’s a fantastic football player, fantastic character, so humble. He’s one of the very best midfielders at the moment in the Premier League. So he deserves to be with us. The quality of Trent is undisputable. The quality of Cole Palmer, we don’t need to talk about it.” Ie, he’s class. But they need to show it. The first step is to be nominated (picked). The second step is to perform, to fight and perform on the highest levels of that shirt.” #ENG

32

61

2

9

52K