Tuchel says England ready to level up and embrace ‘calculated risks’

England head coach Thomas Tuchel says the squad has “leveled up” after implementing a series of tactical tweaks in the opening fixtures of the Nations League. He wants the players to keep their aggression, especially in the high press, and to translate the intensity and chaos of the Premier League into a more proactive style while granting them greater freedom to follow their instincts and cover for each other.

The changes have produced results. After a 1‑0 loss to Spain at Wembley, England recorded three wins – two against Czechia and a 7‑0 demolition of Croatia in Rijeka – guaranteeing a place in the competition’s quarter‑finals. The tournament is being treated as a crucial tune‑up for Euro 2028 and a chance to put distance between the side and the heart‑breaking World Cup semi‑final defeat to Argentina in July.

Mid‑fielder Jarell Quansah echoed the optimism, saying, “We can really dominate teams.” Tuchel added that he was pleased “everyone bought in” to the new ideas, noting the collective commitment as a key factor in the recent turnaround.

Looking ahead, Tuchel stresses that England must continue to take “calculated risks” and stay adaptable, using the Nations League as a platform to refine the approach before the next major international tournament.