Tuchel refines England’s build-up and left-sided attacks, BBC analyst says

In an analysis published on 7 October, BBC Sport tactics correspondent Umir Irfan describes England’s recent changes under Thomas Tuchel as refinements rather than a tactical rebuild. Compared with the preceding World Cup, he says England now involve two central midfielders alongside two centre-backs when building from the back, in shapes that shift between 2-2 and 3-1. Alex Scott and Myles Lewis-Skelly each partnered Elliot Anderson in midfield while Declan Rice was absent. [1]

Irfan says Anderson has sometimes dropped alongside Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa, giving him room to pass forward, while at other times moving further upfield. He also identifies a greater concentration of players on England’s left: Lewis Hall stays wide, Anthony Gordon moves infield, and Harry Kane’s movement towards midfield can open space for Gordon to run into. In Irfan’s assessment, gathering players on that flank creates passing options, opportunities to switch play and more pressure on opponents when England lose the ball. [1]