Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England have not beaten a nation ranked in the top 20 under Tuchel.
ByAlex HowellFootball reporter at Wembley Stadium- Published35 minutes ago
- 20 Comments
Three top-20 sides faced by Thomas Tuchel's England - and still no wins.
The Three Lions breezed through qualification for the World Cup winning all of their eight games without conceding a goal.
But after losing 1-0 to Japan, the world's 18th-ranked side, at Wembley in England's last match before Tuchel names his World Cup squad, questions about whether the Three Lions struggle when they come up against elite nations are being asked.
After their loss at Wembley, which saw Japan become the first Asian side to beat England, the Three Lions end the March international break without a win.
There is an argument that Tuchel experiemented with his line-ups in last June's 3-1 loss to 14th-ranked Senegal, the 1-1 draw with 17th-ranked Uruguay and in the Japan defeat, something he would not do at a major tournament.
But critics will suggest that the England manager should be using these games to find his best XI, and get them ready for the challenge that is coming at this summer's World Cup, especially as the sides that England did not face the same tests in qualification.
Serbia, England's toughest oppnent in qualification, are ranked 39th in the world, and were comfortably beaten 5-0 away by England and 2-0 at Wembley in November.
The biggest worry for England and for Tuchel is what they will do without captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane if he is not available.
Kane missed the game against Japan after picking up a knock in training and England, who lacked ideas in attack, do not have a candidate who is ready to be his back-up.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was trialled as a false nine and did not have a good night but Tuchel has said this window has provided him "more clarity" than questions about his side.
"I am disappointed, everyone is." Tuchel said. "I knew that we had a top exam in this window because our players are heavy in club football and in European football in the most physical toughest league that there is.
"We played against two top-20 teams, well drilled and very good opponents who arrived with their best line-up
"We had big changes in the middle of camp, suddenly after the [Uruguay] match we had seven or eight injuries who had to leave.
"It is not an excuse, it is just an explanation why things are not perfectly smooth and perfectly at the highest level we expect."
What information do we collect from this quiz?Failed experiment as England get grim glimpse of life without Kane
- Published53 minutes ago
Who is a certain starter at the World Cup? How England's players rated
- Published2 hours ago
Quiz: Which nations have already qualified for 2026 World Cup?
- Published1 hour ago
We weren't at it - Rogers
England were missing players who would likely start in their strongest team as alongside Kane, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and John Stones were all not available.
"We go out to win every game and be at our best. We weren't at it," forward Morgan Rogers said, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Japan are a really good side and they took their chance and we didn't. We learn about each other. We keep moving, we keep working, we keep pushing."
Rogers was played from the right wing for England during the match as Tuchel experimented with his attackers.
But the Aston Villa player, who has shone as a number 10 during qualifying, will probably not be playing in that position when England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17.
"This isn't the be all and end all. I think fans and and stuff are going to be disappointed," he added.
"The media are going to talk about 'we're not ready yet and we're not favourites and stuff', we don't look at that at all.
"We know how good we are. We know how good we can be.
"We believe we can challenge any team in the world and it's about showing that and being at our best when it comes to that."
Tuchel said he is not concerned by the result.
"It's unpleasant and we don't like it, I'm the first one to admit I hate losing. That's just the reality of it and has not a lot to do with what will happen in June," the German said.
England's most embarrassing Wembley defeats
Image gallerySkip image gallery
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England 1-2 Greece (2024, Nations League) - Greece stunned a dismal England led by interim boss Lee Carsley with a 94th-minute winner. England would still go on to top their Nations League group however
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 1 of 6
Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 6, A Greece player celebrates, England 1-2 Greece (2024, Nations League) - Greece stunned a dismal England led by interim boss Lee Carsley with a 94th-minute winner. England would still go on to top their Nations League group howeverEnd of image gallery
