England manager Thomas Tuchel has hinted that his team could rely more on long balls and throw-ins when they head to next summer’s World Cup.
The Three Lions currently sit comfortably at the top of Group K, winning all four of their qualifiers so far and holding a five-point cushion over second-placed Serbia, who they face on Tuesday.
Statistics show that Tuchel’s side have so far attempted fewer long passes than Gareth Southgate’s England did at Euro 2024 — just 4% of passes compared to 8.8% under his predecessor.
However, half of those matches came against minnows Andorra, where possession-based football was more prominent.
Long throw-ins, once considered an outdated tactic, have been making a return across English football. Tuchel believes they could be decisive on the biggest stage.
“The long throw-in is back,” he said.
“We don’t have much time to train it, but by the time we get to the World Cup, these small details will matter."
"We will look at throw-ins, long kicks from the goalkeeper, and not only building from the back.”
With three more international breaks before pre-tournament friendlies, Tuchel will have limited time to fine-tune England’s approach.
“We cannot cover everything in four days of training,” he added.
“But these elements can make a difference. I will reflect with my staff, because patterns are returning — crosses, direct play, all of it.”
Tuchel’s contract runs until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, leaving the tournament as a potential final chapter in his spell as England boss.
