Thomas Tuchel is intense but England players will love his pure coaching | Jacob Steinberg

A former employer of Thomas Tuchel describes him as a "football addict." This paints a picture of someone who dedicates every waking moment to analyzing the nuances of the sport. It's no surprise that Tuchel swiftly fulfilled his vow to transform Chelsea into a team that others would dread facing after taking over a struggling side from Frank Lampard in January 2021.

Four months later, they emerged as champions of Europe, shocking Pep Guardiola and Manchester City with a nail-biting victory in Porto by flawlessly executing Tuchel's strategy. This was an extraordinary accomplishment. At the time, Chelsea was struggling in the middle of the league table when the German coach, now set to take over as England's next manager, stepped in. The team was conceding goals at an alarming pace. However, Tuchel wasted no time in addressing the issues, implementing a 3-4-2-1 formation that transformed Chelsea into the most defensively sound team in Europe.

With everything back in place, they climbed back into the Premier League's top four and made it to the FA Cup final, although they had a lackluster performance against Leicester at Wembley, which was an unusual low point for them. However, it was in the knockout stages of the Champions League that they really excelled. Chelsea played with precision and effectiveness, achieving victories over Atlético Madrid, Porto, and Real Madrid while only allowing two goals in six matches. They continued to show that same resilience against City.

Guardiola was outsmarted. Chelsea proved to be resolute in defense, lethal on counterattacks, and strong in midfield control. N’Golo Kanté took advantage of a rare period without injuries, while Jorginho, previously dismissed for being too slow for the English game, enjoyed the best season of his career under Tuchel’s guidance.

Jorginho gained the most from Chelsea's transition to a back three. Still, Tuchel isn't committed to that layout. He opted for it because he believed the veteran Thiago Silva didn't have the speed to serve effectively as a center-back in a back four, particularly with Jorginho playing in midfield. A lot of Chelsea's offensive power came from their young English wing-backs, Ben Chilwell and Reece James. It’s not surprising that the team's title pursuit faltered in the next season after both Chilwell and James suffered significant injuries.

Chelsea continued to excel in high-stakes matches. Under Tuchel's leadership, they held their ground against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool during the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals in 2022. Unfortunately, they were edged out in both competitions, losing in penalty shootouts after engaging and entertaining matches that ended without goals.

The team was lacking the creativity needed to compete with City and Liverpool in the league, making them just short of a top-tier squad. At certain points, Tuchel experimented with a more attacking style, but the core issue was the inconsistency of his players. Unlike having someone like Mo Salah or Kevin De Bruyne, Tuchel struggled with his attackers. Chelsea ended up settling for too many draws in straightforward matches, and Tuchel quickly came to regret the hefty £97.5 million investment in Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who was expected to be the missing link in the team.

Tuchel's primary goal for the striker position was Harry Kane. However, Tottenham was not willing to transfer him to Chelsea. It wasn't until Tuchel joined Bayern Munich that he had the opportunity to sign Kane. Now, he is set for a reunion with the forward on the international stage.

Kane had a great season under Tuchel last year. Claims that the 51-year-old’s disciplined style limits attacking players might be exaggerated. While some disappointing displays at Chelsea might support this view, it’s important to remember that England boasts a stronger and more diverse group of forwards. Tuchel knows how to set up a team effectively. He avoids overloading his attack, focusing instead on maintaining a balanced midfield. He had his sights set on signing Declan Rice for Chelsea, and he might see some characteristics of Jorginho in the tidy play of Angel Gomes. Like Gareth Southgate, he won’t hesitate to use a three-man defense when the situation calls for it.

Players will definitely appreciate the engaging and creative nature of his training sessions. Tuchel is a genuine coach who truly enjoys being on the pitch. He pushes his players hard and maintains a high level of intensity during practice, but he has built a strong rapport with the Chelsea squad. Mateo Kovacic, a former player under Guardiola, is impressed by Tuchel's deep understanding of tactics. Meanwhile, Mason Mount has experienced his best performances under his guidance.

When it comes to the media, English journalists admired Tuchel for his wit, intelligence, and candidness. He knows how to handle challenging questions without getting flustered. He stepped into a leader's role effortlessly when Roman Abramovich had to sell Chelsea following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

This event marked a significant shift in his connection with Chelsea. Tuchel was dismissed following a disagreement with the new ownership, raising some doubts about his character. He is known for having conflicts with management, but on a positive note, differences regarding player transfers are unlikely to be an issue with the England team.

There won’t be any outside interference. The focus will be on selecting the best players, upholding the team's culture, and finding a way to lead England to success in a tournament. The FA will draw inspiration from Tuchel’s victory over Guardiola in a high-pressure situation. They have faith that Super Tommy Tuchel understands what needs to be done. It’s unlikely that they’ll prioritize an all-out attack while neglecting defense.