Here in Riga, every cobbled Old Town street seems to end beside a glass of beer or beneath a spire.
That feels apt, because for those England players who are in this charming Baltic postcard, a victory tonight and qualification for next summer’s World Cup will give them every reason to toast their likely inclusion in North America. Thomas Tuchel wants continuity.
For many of those not here, however, they can only pray that a loss of form or fitness befalls a rival. To repeat, Thomas Tuchel wants continuity.
Rarely have we been this far out from a major tournament yet had such a clear idea of who will be on the plane for the finals. A clue – they’ll be on the plane back from Latvia on Tuesday evening.
That is why the stakes are suddenly so high. By reducing the likelihood of change, Tuchel has actually intensified competition. No longer does a player like Morgan Rogers expect to make way when – and if – Jude Bellingham returns. Elliot Anderson does not feel like the latest wannabe auditioning to play alongside Declan Rice. If you’ve got the jersey, it’s yours to keep, so long as you perform and don’t go “eyeballing” or “intimidating” or using “bad words” towards team-mates. Tuchel said all of that following last month’s 5-0 win in Serbia when praising the spirit of his team.
The head coach has created fear in its most positive, constructive form. A fear that fuels, not paralyses. A fear that is incentivised. He has shown a ruthless side but has made it clear that good players and good people will prosper under his charge. The best players do not make the best XI.
England players can secure qualification in Latvia and boost their own World Cup hopes in the process
With Thomas Tuchel reducing the likelihood of change, no longer do the likes of Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson expect to make way in the event Jude Bellingham returns
Bellingham was among the high-profile names left out of Tuchel’s latest England squad
That is why every kick and every minute matters. There are no dead rubbers, be that friendlies or qualifiers post qualification, as will likely be the case against Serbia and Albania next month.
Rather, this England squad feels alive with possibility. Train well and play well – and, most importantly, continue to do so – and you will remain. Do not worry about the exiled celebrity who earns twice as much and has three times as many social-media followers – look after yourself and the manager will look after you. There is no greater motivation, across any profession, than waking up every day and wanting to impress the person you call boss. That is what Tuchel has created.
During his first camp in March, he watched his players intently around the team hotel. He was encouraged by the sight of Phil Foden playing darts and smiling. He had heard the stories about this generational talent being a subdued version of his Manchester City best when away with England. But then, at Wembley, Foden played quiet and withdrawn and hasn’t been seen since.
On the flip side, Tuchel has watched a debutant like Dan Burn show both character and humility – on and off the pitch – and, because of that, those who tailor the tournament suits should be extending their tape measure in anticipation. A good citizen, a good player. And, at 6ft 7ins, handy from the set-pieces that Tuchel believes could make the difference during the World Cup.
There will still be change, just not the usual overhaul that can often happen in the months pre-dating a tournament. Doors will not swing open on the whim of the manager, but there are some that remain ajar for the willing and the worthy to barge through. But be warned, Tuchel already has the keys in his hand.
One player who is locked in is the brilliant goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After eight years as an England starter, it carries weight when he says: ‘The squad is bigger than individuals, I think it always will be.
’The togetherness we have as a squad off the field is crucial. That’s what pushes us on. You have a lot of down time and, if you have a great group of lads who get on with one another, it is always going to go further than the best XI.
‘Everyone wants to push each other, demanding on the pitch. And then it’s about the next day’s training session – you see the standards we all put in. If you play or you don’t play, be the best team-mate, the best version of yourself. It’s something the manager is going to keep driving from us – he likes us to be “Team England”. The players, the staff, that togetherness. It is crucial going into tournaments.’
Phil Foden was quiet and withdrawn at Wembley in March and has not been seen since
Tuchel has instilled a positive fear, with players knowing that if they train and play well – and, most importantly, continue to do so – they will remain in the squad
Jordan Pickford, an England stalwart, has stressed the need for togetherness in the squad
Pickford has always embraced ‘Team England’. Twice during a 20-minute chat on Monday, he referred to having his ‘England head on’. It was also endearing when he revealed: ‘Every time you get that England call-up you should be proud. Me mam always texts me after the announcement comes out, “Well done”, “Congrats”, every time.’
Tuchel’s mum will like Pickford. She is not so keen on Bellingham, as the manager himself revealed. As unthinkable as this once was, the Real Madrid star is among those who could be found beneath a spire in the coming months.
By delivering some bold words and making some even bolder selection calls, England’s head coach has instilled the fear of God in his populous of English players. The German might just the high priest this country needs.
