England became the first European team to secure a place in the World Cup, and that’s no small feat. Six wins in six games, no goals conceded and classification with two matches to spare.
Commendable. But, in a qualifying group with Albania, Latvia, Andorra and Serbia, he did no more than what was required. The challenge is from now on.
Starting with the choice of players for a team that, like others around the world, is taking shape. In this call, the focus was on those who were not there. Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham wanted to go, but wasn’t called. The absence raised the question: can you win the World Cup without one of the team’s stars?
Coach Thomas Tuchel left it up in the air. It’s a déjà vu of the soap opera Neymar in the Brazilian team and the constant debates as to whether or not he will go, with due proportions. Bellingham is 22 years old, he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world, he had a shoulder operation in July, but he will soon return to the top level. Neymar will be 34 in the World Cup, has a history of injuries and hasn’t played since September 14th.
If Bellingham was left out of the previous squad because of surgery, this time there was no clear reason. The coach said he didn’t want to change the group that was already together, he thinks there is an obsession with Bellingham in the press, he said he won’t call up anyone who doesn’t fit into the “new identity of the team”.
It is extremely unlikely that England will have the luxury of going to the World Cup without one of their most talented athletes. Because it is understood that the problem was behavioral. The answer will come before the clashes against Albania and Serbia in the final rounds of the Qualifiers.
Like Carlo Ancelotti, Tuchel has enough experience and autonomy to leave anyone who wants out. “We’re not just bringing in the most talented. We’re trying to build a team. Teams win trophies, no one else does,” he said.
The collective game is one of the reasons for the success of the favorite for the title today, Spain. It was by leaving ego and individuality aside that Luis Enrique transformed PSG into a winning team.
In addition to the debate over whether Bellingham and Neymar will be on the final lists, there are other similar points between the two teams.
Both have foreign coaches, highly respected, successful at clubs and leading national teams for the first time. But Tuchel is German. Given the historic rivalry between England and Germany, it would be like an Argentine coaching Brazil. Both arrived at the last minute – Tuchel started working in January and Ancelotti was announced in May.
In Europe, there is also concern about the lack of worthy rivals, making it very difficult to know how far teams will reach in the World Cup. In England’s qualifying group, Serbia is 34th in the FIFA rankings, Albania is 66th, Latvia is 137th and Andorra is 174th. Brazil faces Senegal (18th) and Tunisia (46th) in the next friendlies.
Another question is what tactical changes will be necessary given the heat of the tournament in the North American summer.
There is almost a consensus in Europe that Spain, France, Argentina and Brazil are strong competitors for the title, with Portugal and England running on the outside.
There are so many variables that it is impossible to pick a favorite. The scenario will soon become clearer.
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