S Poddar
Thomas Tuchel has highlighted the importance of England’s players communicating better on the pitch, particularly in key moments in games. As he sets out to lead England to World Cup glory, Tuchel is focusing on verbal and non-verbal communication among his team.
The new head coach demonstrated this with an in-depth breakdown of the Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain. One of the most important learnings from the match statistics was a dramatic fall in England’s communication in the second half. Tuchel showed the players a graph that indicated that their communication on the field plummeted after halftime as Spain took charge of the game.
As he readies England for their next World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley, Tuchel has prioritized fixing this problem. In a team meeting at St George’s Park, he highlighted how England’s communication fell from 60 instances in the first half to only 35 in the second half. He attributes this slide to the contribution of the team’s poor play following the yielding of an early goal in the second period. England goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, confirmed Tuchel’s assertions, with the Spanish dominating play after half-time and hence making it tough for England to pick up their pace.
Morgan Rogers also spoke on the importance of communication when asked about the key elements Tuchel has emphasized in training. “Talking to one another is important, particularly when momentum changes during a game. We must remain connected,” he clarified. “Not everything will go our way, but remaining together and ensuring that we all understand can make a big difference.”
Aston Villa striker shared his view of how communication and leadership have contributed to his growth. “Having players who talk to you throughout a game all the time is really beneficial,” he explained. “It’s something I’ve observed over the course of my career. The best teams that I’ve been a part of had leaders who ensured everyone was involved, regardless of how challenging the situation.”
Tuchel’s expectations have been unequivocal since the day he assumed the reins. At a team meeting on Monday evening, he set out the values he demands from his players, and unity and dedication were at the forefront. Rogers remembered how Tuchel shared his vision for England, where he insisted that it was a tightly knit team. “The message that stuck with me was the feeling of togetherness he demands from us. He demands a close, together team where everybody looks after each other,” Rogers said.
For Rogers, his experience with Tuchel started a few weeks ago when he first met the German boss on a Zoom call. The young striker, who made his England debut against Greece under caretaker boss Lee Carsley, wore a suit and tie for the virtual meeting, keen to make a good first impression. The discussion was about 15 minutes, but it was enough for Rogers to realize the standards Tuchel has set for him. After that, they have kept regular touch, and Rogers has taken inspiration from the way Tuchel works.
“When I met him, he had this aura about him,” Rogers said. “It’s hard to put your finger on, but he has a sense of confidence and respect that makes you want to hear what he has to say. He’s cool and calm, but when it’s work time, he’s business as usual.”
Tuchel’s own reputation as a demanding and diligent coach is already well-established. Having worked for some of Europe’s leading clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, he has great respect among players and managers. Rogers would welcome the chance to learn from Tuchel and implement that knowledge on the pitch.
You look at what he’s done in the game, and you see the respect he’s earned from everyone he’s played with,” Rogers said. “It’s evident that he’s got strong opinions on how to make this team better, and it’s down to us to take everything in and implement it.
As England starts a new chapter with Tuchel at the helm, the focus on communication might be a pivotal element. His fineness of detail and demand for a louder team might bring out the squad’s maximum potential. Technical competence and tactical order are crucial, but Tuchel feels that good communication, coordination, and motivation among players in the moment might be the solution to the greatest challenges.
With a new beginning and the World Cup looming, England’s players have to adopt this philosophy. Their first trial under Tuchel will come against Albania, where he will scrutinize not just their play but also their ability to talk under pressure. If his words stick, England may find the unity and determination necessary to play alongside the world’s top sides.
