Tuchel's To-Do List

What are the main points of focus for incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel?

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Lee Carsley signed off as England’s interim manager with a smile and “relief” on Sunday, as his time as caretaker came to an end.

Perhaps one day Carsley will be ready to take on the job on a full-time basis, but going off his comments throughout his short tenure, the former Republic of Ireland international is, for now, content with a role in charge of England’s Under-21s, in which he has had great success.

Carsley bows out with five wins from his six matches, though he conceded the result that will haunt him is that shock defeat to Greece in October, one that left England’s Nations League promotion hopes in the balance and exposed some tactical naivety. Thomas Tuchel’s impending arrival was confirmed soon after that defeat.

England bounced back this month, though. They scored eight goals without conceding in response in their victories over Greece and Ireland.

Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday saw four maiden goalscorers net for the Three Lions for the first time since 1930 (via Opta), and Carsley bows out having handed debuts to eight players.

The foundations have been laid, but what are the main areas of focus for Tuchel when he takes over in January?

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THE FODEN-BELLINGHAM DEBATE

Jude Bellingham was excellent against Greece and Ireland over the past week. The youngster has not yet scaled the same heights as last season at Real Madrid, but that should have been expected after his efforts in 2023-24, which then of course carried over into the Euros.

While he has become one of Europe’s best “box crashers” over the past 12 months or so, it should not be forgotten that Bellingham originally excelled at Borussia Dortmund as a box-to-box midfielder.

Tuchel’s big task is to find a way to fit Bellingham in alongside Phil Foden, and work out a way in which both of those players are able to shine as they have done so often for their clubs.