England players aired concerns over Argentina semi-final tactics in squad review, with Kane and Bellingham vocal
An internal England squad meeting reviewed the World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, with players questioning Thomas Tuchel's late-game approach and Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham speaking candidly.
England players expressed strong views about their World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina during a 'full and frank' squad meeting with head coach Thomas Tuchel at the start of the September international break, with the Football Association's review process having canvassed the squad's opinions. According to BBC Sport, the players feel that having had their say, they can move on from the July 15 loss in Atlanta.
The main grievance concerned how Tuchel instructed the team to approach the closing stages after Anthony Gordon gave England a 55th-minute lead. Enzo Fernandez equalised with five minutes left and Lautaro Martinez headed a stoppage-time winner. A number of senior players believed the approach was too negative and defensive, and those feelings lingered and grew over the summer.
In the meeting, Tuchel pointed to the quality of the opposition, including Lionel Messi, as a key reason for the late collapse. That argument was not universally accepted: there is a strongly held view in the squad that England were man-for-man superior to Argentina, who had 38-year-old Nicolas Otamendi on the pitch for the closing 18 minutes.
Every player had the chance to air personal views. Captain Harry Kane was strong and forthright, while Jude Bellingham was said to be particularly candid in arguing that this England group was capable of continuing to take the game to Argentina. His contribution underlined his growing influence, with many believing the Real Madrid midfielder will captain the team once Kane is no longer in the picture.
Since the review, England have responded emphatically apart from a 3-2 Nations League loss to Spain at Wembley, scoring 12 goals without conceding across three matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia. Tuchel said last week his relationship with Bellingham had been up and down but that they are in a good place, adding that he loves coaching the midfielder. England host Croatia on Thursday and travel to face world champions Spain on Sunday.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
