Thomas Tuchel has openly admitted that England’s own ball‑play turned into a self‑inflicted hazard during their 3‑2 loss to Spain. The Three Lions, who entered the match as reigning World and European champions, made a series of pivotal errors that allowed Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal to find the net. After a flawless defensive record throughout the World Cup qualifying phase, England have now conceded nine goals across their last three fixtures – against Argentina, France and Spain – highlighting a sudden vulnerability when facing top‑tier opposition. In Tuchel’s view, the problem does not lie in the defensive structure or the organization of the back line.
Instead, he points to a pattern of individual mistakes that emerge when the team is in possession, especially during deep‑building phases. "It’s not a concern yet," the German manager said ahead of England’s upcoming Nations League clash with the Czech Republic. He praised the collective defensive effort, noting that the side performed at a higher level than in many previous games in terms of organised, block and active defending.
He added that, when examined in isolation, the unit work and structural integrity were satisfactory and even a step forward. However, Tuchel was unequivocal about the ball‑related lapses.
"We suffered clearly from individual mistakes when we had the ball, especially in the deep build‑up, so that is of course something we cannot repeat. Not at this level," he warned. He went on to explain that, paradoxically, England were the greatest danger to themselves around the penalty area because of those mistakes. "Purely in defending, I have no concerns and I trust that we can do it," he concluded, emphasizing his confidence in the defensive framework while acknowledging the need to tighten possession play.
The manager’s comments come amid a wave of criticism over his tactical choices during the World Cup semi‑final against Argentina, where he opted for a defensive stance after securing a one‑goal lead rather than pushing for a second. After that match, Tuchel remarked that ball possession might not be ingrained in the English footballing DNA the way it is for Spanish or South American players.
He suggested that the English side still needs to develop a more natural instinct for controlling the game through possession. Despite the scrutiny, Tuchel believes his players displayed the core attributes of England’s footballing identity in the Spain encounter. He noted that there had been much debate before the match about the team’s style, yet he felt the players demonstrated courage, a clear identity, and a willingness to attack throughout the full 90 minutes.
"We gave them a lot of problems. We caused ourselves some problems with individual mistakes. Mistakes can sometimes happen. They shouldn't, but they did happen," he said.
Tuchel highlighted that England pushed the world and European champions to the brink of defeat. In the crucial moments, the English side played their best football, maintaining attacking intent even while leading by a goal. "We kept attacking when we were a goal ahead.
We were even more dominant and more of a threat," he asserted. He admitted that a lapse in momentum toward the end of the game was partially self‑inflicted, but he remained optimistic about the positives to take forward. Looking ahead, England have a busy schedule.
They face the Czech Republic away on Tuesday, September 29, at 7.45 pm, followed by a trip to Croatia on October 3 at 5 pm, and then host the Czech Republic again on October 6 at 7.45 pm. Tuchel’s focus will be on eradicating the possession‑related errors that have plagued the side, ensuring that the defensive solidity he praised can be complemented by sharper, more reliable ball handling. In summary, Tuchel’s assessment underscores a clear dichotomy: while England’s defensive organization appears sound, the team’s own ball possession has become a liability. The manager’s task now is to instill a higher level of composure and decision‑making when building from the back, reducing the frequency of individual mistakes that have proven costly against elite opponents.
By addressing these issues, England can hope to translate their defensive strengths into a more balanced and effective overall performance in the upcoming Nations League fixtures and beyond.