England ended 2025 protected by a shield of deceptive strength.
England have kept four in 13 games in 2026, meaning it may not be long before Thomas Tuchel rethinks his suggestion that the way to deal with his side’s lack of control is to embrace disruption.
At least the mindset was positive when Tuchel’s side opened their Nations League campaign with a sprightly but flawed 3-2 defeat against Spain last Saturday.
England have since been breached by Uruguay, Japan, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Norway, Argentina, France and Spain.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his first international appearance since a brief runout against Andorra in June 2025.
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Summarized version
At least the mindset was positive when Tuchel’s side opened their Nations League campaign with a sprightly but flawed 3-2 defeat against Spain last Saturday.
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The article, shortened and in plain language
Chopping and changing the back four has been a big feature for England this year and the Real Madrid man could be a solution.
England ended 2025 protected by a shield of deceptive strength. Clean sheets have been harder to come by this year. England have kept four in 13 games in 2026, meaning it may not be long before Thomas Tuchel rethinks his suggestion that the way to deal with his side’s lack of control is to embrace disruption.
England were limp and passive when they lost their World Cup semi-final against Argentina. At least the mindset was positive when Tuchel’s side opened their Nations League campaign with a sprightly but flawed 3-2 defeat against Spain last Saturday.
Croatia await in Rijeka on Saturday and are likely to be tougher than a Czechia side who failed to make it out of a weak group at the World Cup.
England have since been breached by Uruguay, Japan, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Norway, Argentina, France and Spain.
Two of Spain’s goals were errors, with Marc Guéhi and Nico O’Reilly punished. Jordan Pickford had some ropey moments in goal during the World Cup and Ezri Konsa has lacked consistency as Guéhi’s partner in the middle.
Stones starting forces England to move deeper but one of their better defensive displays at the World Cup came when the 32-year-old nullified Erling Haaland during the win against Norway.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his first international appearance since a brief runout against Andorra in June 2025.
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