As Thomas Tuchel gears up to guide England into a World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, he shares a thought-provoking remark.
“You don’t have to be a horse to be a good jockey.”
This phrase, popularized by Arrigo Sacchi in 1987, highlights the journey of someone who succeeded without a storied playing career, much like Tuchel himself, who retired at 24 due to a knee injury and had a modest stint in lower-tier German football.
This comment comes in light of a recent exchange with Jude Bellingham, who responded to Tuchel’s critique of England’s technical play following their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway. Bellingham, who scored twice during the match, expressed his frustration, questioning whether Tuchel truly understands the challenges of competing against top players like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.
While Bellingham’s remarks stirred conversation, they also prompted Tuchel to clarify his position. He values the effort shown by his players yet feels it is necessary to address areas needing improvement to keep the team sharp and focused.
In the lead-up to the monumental clash with Argentina, Tuchel has shifted attention to his players, emphasizing the honor and aspiration of competing at this level. He reminds them that not everyone gets to experience the thrill of international play. “I had a mediocre career at best,” Tuchel reflects, recalling the powerful emotions he felt during his FA Cup final with Chelsea.
“Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Ødegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sørloth,” he continues. “It just strikes me from time to time on the sideline right before the match that I couldn’t play here on this occasion,”
High Stakes for England
The significance of this semi-final cannot be overstated, especially considering the historical tensions between England and Argentina. England has reached the World Cup semi-finals only three times, claiming victory in 1966, but suffering defeats in 1990 and 2018.
These matches resonate deeply with the nation, creating memories that last a lifetime. Tuchel prefers to concentrate on the players’ preparations rather than getting caught up in the emotional weight of the occasion, stating, “I had an FA Cup final with Chelsea where you walk out with the players so I was actually standing there with them for the national anthem. And I just felt like: ‘Wow.’ “It was a good moment for me to put into perspective what I then demand from just 10 metres on the other side of the sideline. It felt so different. I’m so close all the time but just being there, I thought: ‘Wow.’ I had the same moment in my first home Bundesliga match as the Borussia Dortmund coach. It was against Borussia Mönchengladbach and, two minutes before the whistle goes, I think: ‘Wow. I’m so glad I don’t have to play because I would not have the legs for it.’ “You need to be a special breed if you want to take the last step and play in these moments. I cannot praise enough the players who perform, who put out physicality, who open their legs and feel free and put on a fight.”
Tuchel does not shy away from discussing Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward who will encounter England for the first time in his expansive career. When asked about Messi’s status, Tuchel remarked, “It is to focus on what the players need to do to become that, not to talk about the end product,”
He also pointed out that England’s previous encounter with Norway’s Erling Haaland bodes well for their upcoming challenge against Messi. “There are so many different layers in football in so many different positions. He is right up there, for sure.” he asserts.
Argentina’s Vulnerabilities
Despite being reigning champions, Argentina has displayed inconsistencies throughout the tournament, often relying heavily on Messi and Julián Alvarez in their attacking structure. Tuchel notes that they can be overwhelmed and have shown defensive weaknesses, raising questions about their physical readiness and adaptability.
England, on the other hand, while not yet at their best as a cohesive unit, enters the air-conditioned stadium in Atlanta with renewed optimism. The gap between their current performance and potential fuels their confidence, and they have demonstrated an ability to create opportunities, even when trailing.
Tuchel senses the anticipation building as match day approaches. “So we will find a way now [against Messi],” he expresses. “These last two minutes as a coach before matches and even more so now with the national anthem … I feel so alive,”
As the match nears, the focus will shift to his talented squad, ready to seize the moment.
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