The Thomas Tuchel era with England made an encouraging, if unspectacular start after kicking off their World Cup qualifying campaign with wins over Albania and Latvia.
The Three Lions followed up their 2-0 win over Albania on Friday with a 3-0 victory on Monday evening, with the two clean-sheet wins ensuring they are in command of the group.
However, there is clearly still room for improvement from Tuchel’s men, as the German boss suggested after both Wembley wins.
After some breakout individual performances and some uninspiring ones, here are the winners and losers from the first camp under new management.
Winners
Myles Lewis-Skelly
For the all the talk of Tuchel’s first squad favouring experience, the first goalscorer of his tenure was one of England’s youngest ever as 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly netted just 20 minutes into his senior debut against Albania.
He looked assured in that game and the following one against Latvia, where he often drifted from out wide and into midfield as he only misplaced six passes out of 152 across both matches.
It is hard to argue against the claim that the starting left-back berth is now firmly in the hands of the Arsenal starlet.
Myles Lewis-Skelly on debut 🏴#WCQ pic.twitter.com/oFqymFxIZt
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 24, 2025
Ezri Konsa
John Stones and Harry Maguire’s injuries meant a chance for a centre-back to stake their claim and Ezri Konsa was undoubtedly the man who did that.
The Aston Villa centre-back led the defence in both games and is looking at home at international level, with his passing out from the back another impressive part of his game in the double-header.
Reece James
Reece James was one of many featuring for England for the first time in a while and his all-action display, including a sublime free-kick, against Latvia has put him back in the reckoning at right-back.
With James enjoying a strong relationship with Tuchel from their time at Chelsea, the Blues captain’s return could be more bad news for injured Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England prospect.
We’re all watching this on repeat, right? 🔁pic.twitter.com/3oa5QboVp1
— England (@England) March 24, 2025
Declan Rice
With two assists for Harry Kane, Declan Rice enjoyed himself in a slightly different role than what he has previously played for England and one that looked moe suited to his skillset.
The Arsenal midfielder’s bursts forward gave England a new dynamic but may leave the Three Lions in the lurch against tougher opponents, meaning Tuchel may still need to find Rice a more defensive-minded partner in the engine room.
Losers
Phil Foden
Phil Foden now has 44 England caps but somehow still does not look quite at home in an England shirt, with his struggles for his country continuing in the new regime.
Tuchel questioned the Manchester City star’s lack of impact against Albania and was dropped to the bench for Jarrod Bowen in the following game.
With Bukayo Saka to return on the left and Jude Bellingham cementing his No10 credentials, the search for Foden to find his place in England’s XI continues and it seems unlikely will show the same patience predecessor Gareth Southgate showed.
Should Phil Foden start for England? ✅❌
Roy Keane doesn’t think so… pic.twitter.com/RVo3tX9LLf
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 25, 2025
Marc Guehi
Mac Guehi probably thought the centre-back berth was his to lose after an impressive Euro 2024 but he has seemingly been usurped by Konsa over the last two games.
After missing out to Konsa and debutant Dan Burn in the Albania game, the Crystal Palace defender had a shaky night on Monday, with a defensive mix up with Jordan Pickford not painting him in the best light in front of his new manager.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Drafted in late having initially not made the squad, Morgan Gibbs-White was left out of the Albania squad before being left on the bench for the Latvia game.
The two advanced midfielders Tuchel deployed should suit the Nottingham Forest star but the use of Morgan Rogers and Curtis Jones in those positions suggests Gibbs-White has some work to do.
England under Thomas Tuchel so far:
◉ WS rating: 7.07◉ Best rated player (90+ mins): Harry Kane (8.28)◉ Worst rated player (90+ mins): Phil Foden (6.46)
🏴🦁 https://t.co/8EBB6OC0vt pic.twitter.com/10jjX9SiX1
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 25, 2025
Marcus Rashford
The same can be said for Marcus Rashford, who would have been delighted to be back in the England fold but, like Foden, perhaps need to do more to ensure he stays there.
The Manchester United man, rejuvenated since a loan to Villa, started both games but failed to make the impact nessecary to keep the shirt when Anthony Gordon returns from injury.
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