So far there has been something astringent and quietly refreshing about the pared-back stylings of Thomas Tuchel’s new England. There are natural caveats to this, not least the built-in obsolescence of the entire Tuchel project (cautious tactics; he’s a German m8; not picking that player I like, etc, etc). But, for now, the lead-in to the reassuringly generic England double-header against Albania and Latvia has been closer to a soft launch than any other head coach era.
There will be no roaring, no medieval morris dancing tactical revivalism, also no agonising over the meaning of Albion, no old maids cycling to mass, no West End stage play about a gangly German pragmatist and his efforts to impose the 3-4-1-2 formation. Instead this feels like what it is: an 18-month deal, less the blooming of a new romance, more workmanlike middle-aged dating app. We’re all grownups here. We have needs. Let’s just see where it goes. And in the meantime make it feel good, quickly, with minimum waste.
