"Tuesday's thumping 5-0 win against Serbia may be the fifth-consecutive competitive victory of Tuchel's reign, but it is the first that offered signs of genuine progress, suggesting the aim of winning next summer's World Cup may be a realistic ambition after all. There is, of course, more work to do. The hosts showed surprisingly little attacking intent and, in any case, are ranked 32nd in the FIFA World Rankings."
"The ultimate challenge for Tuchel is to make England play with a sense of purpose and authority when it matters most. It was just about the only thing his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, failed in as England fell agonisingly short of their 59-year wait for a major men's trophy. That challenge obviously can only be tested next summer, but it must rank as a significant step forward that they produced their best display under the 52-year-old in their toughest fixture to date."
Thomas Tuchel took charge of England and recorded a 5-0 victory over Serbia, marking a fifth consecutive competitive win but the first clear sign of progress. The win came against a 32nd-ranked host at the hostile Rajko Mitić Stadium, a potential banana skin that England avoided with an authoritative performance. The display validated Tuchel's claim that the team is evolving toward a clearer identity. The primary challenge remains making England play with purpose and authority in major moments. New personnel provided different qualities, with Elliot Anderson offering progressive passing and Noni Madueke supplying penetration and purpose down the flanks.
Read at ESPN.com
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