At his headquarters in Kansas City, Thomas Tuchel is building a team with extremely high standards, where no player is allowed to slow down or hide their weaknesses.
Perfection in every touch of the ball.
Amidst the intense Missouri sun, Thomas Tuchel appeared on the training ground wearing his familiar hoodie to protect himself from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
However, what attracted the most attention was not the German coach's attire, but the way he conducted the training session.
Initially, Tuchel observed from a distance. But after only a few minutes, he directly participated in the instruction process when he noticed that some details did not meet the requirements.
Open training sessions at the World Cup usually last only about 15 minutes for the press and rarely reveal much technical information.
However, at England's headquarters in Kansas City, reporters had the opportunity to witness Tuchel's working philosophy more clearly.
On the pitch, mannequins are arranged in various areas to facilitate ball circulation and press-breaking exercises.
Players must control the ball with a maximum of two touches, combining quickly in the midfield area before switching the attack to the flanks.
Tuchel closely monitored every movement, paying particular attention to ensuring the player received the ball with their dominant foot.
According to him, it's a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the speed of ball distribution as well as the ability to escape pressure from the opponent.
When the training session moved on to the group including Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Djed Spence, and Elliot Anderson, the intensity of the workout immediately increased.
Constantly blowing the whistle and giving instructions, Tuchel urged his players to adjust their ball-receiving posture, broaden their field of vision, and increase their speed of processing.
At one point, he called Djed Spence by name to remind the defender to focus more.
That level of strictness is nothing new to those who have worked with Tuchel. The German coach is known for his pursuit of perfection, even being mentioned for checking the height of the training pitch to ensure all conditions were suitable for training.
Building an England team to Premier League standards.
What happens on the training ground partly reflects the direction Tuchel is building for the England team.
His goal is to transform the "Three Lions" into a team with the speed, intensity, and physical strength comparable to top Premier League clubs.
This also provides an answer to one of England's long-standing weaknesses. Against opponents who press high up the pitch, the English team has often struggled to build play from the back.
Even in their match against Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, England faced a challenging first half, constantly under pressure. Tuchel's players often fumbled their chances and allowed the opposition to exploit gaps.
However, after the break, everything changed completely. The England team accelerated, moved the ball faster, and created an explosive attacking display to win 4-2.
That's the image Tuchel wants to maintain. In the German coach's view, when players receive the ball with the right foot, open their bodies in the right direction, and make quicker decisions, the entire system operates more smoothly.
Fast forwards like Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon will be given the opportunity to maximize their explosive attacking abilities.
Not only Tuchel, but also his assistant Anthony Barry plays a crucial role in maintaining these standards.
Throughout the training session, Barry constantly participated in pressing situations, while also giving instructions with an intensity comparable to that of the head coach.
He was the one who frankly pointed out the tension and lack of initiative from the England team in the first half of the match against Croatia.
According to center-back Dan Burn, what the players appreciate most about the Tuchel-Barry duo is their clarity and honesty.
"They said everything exactly as it was. No beating around the bush. That's very important for the players," Burn shared.
During the breaks between matches, the English players still enjoy relaxing activities such as playing basketball, backgammon, or attending music events in Kansas City.
However, upon returning to the training ground, everyone understood that even more demanding requirements still awaited them.
Under Thomas Tuchel, England may be allowed to make mistakes to learn, but no one is allowed to be complacent.
In an environment where every detail is scrutinized, the "Three Lions" are gradually shaping a new identity for their journey to conquer the 2026 World Cup.
And if what happens on the training pitch accurately reflects reality, there will be no room for the England players to "hide" under the German strategist.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khong-con-cho-de-an-minh-duoi-thoi-thomas-tuchel-239111.html
