England head to the World Cup with one plan in mind – win.
The Three Lions are looking to end 60 years of hurt this summer, and, for the first time in a while, they have what they believe to be a truly elite tactician at the helm.
Thomas Tuchel is a very successful manager at club level, and many are hoping his tactical nous can take England to glory.
However, speaking to The Sun, Gordon Strachan believes England have a simple formula for success at the World Cup, and it has nothing to do with complicated tactical systems.
Instead, the former Scotland manager has warned that England must avoid making the same mistake Ruben Amorim made after arriving at Manchester United.
Amorim walked into Old Trafford with a strict football philosophy and a preferred formation. The problem, according to Strachan, was that the squad he had was not built to play that way.
Gordon Strachan warns England about Ruben Amorim trap
Strachan was speaking about the idea of England being tactically astute at this tournament.
Thomas Tuchel is a very clever manager, but Strachan says that at international level, it’s sometimes about just picking your best players rather than trying to use a complex system.
“It goes back to Amorim at Man United. He comes in and wants to play three centre-backs, and he has wingers everywhere and the rest of it. That didn’t suit them,” Strachan said.
“With the England squad, just bring them in, play the best players and the system that suits them. Managers have systems in their heads, but it’s not about system. It’s about great players, great character, resilience, technique and good teammates, that’s it.”
The comments come at an interesting time for England.
Thomas Tuchel, moreso than his predecessors has picked his squad around what suits his style rather than the other way around.
Tuchel hasn’t prioritised pure talent – hence why the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are being left at home.
Instead, Tuchel has picked a team full of versatile players who will work hard in whichever role they’re put into.
It’s almost the opposite of Ruben Amorim, Amorim forced talented players into his system, while Tuchel has left out many talented players because he wants to have a system that can be moulded and change as needed.
It will be interesting to see how England get on this summer under Tuchel, that’s for sure.
