Time is not on Tuchel’s side to raise England’s tempo before the World Cup

From left, Reece James, Dan Burn, Jude Bellingham, and Thomas Tuchel. England have not faced the threat of losing under Tuchel so far … Composite: Guardian Picture Desk

Tuchel is still learning but the clock is ticking

Thomas Tuchel does not have time on his side after opting not to oversee England’s Nations League games in November. He has looked to hit the ground running, just as he did when he won the Champions League four months after joining Chelsea, but building rhythm in international football is not easy. The players are not around for long and some games drift into irrelevance. Tuchel has started with two straightforward wins but neither set the pulse racing. The awkward reality is that qualification lacks jeopardy these days.