# Gordon backs Tuchel on England's possession problem

> England winger says controlling the ball like Spain isn't part of English football's culture, and the team should lean into their physical strengths instead.
- Title: Gordon backs Tuchel on England's possession problem | Shortify
- Summary: England winger says controlling the ball like Spain isn't part of English football's culture, and the team should lean into their physical strengths instead…
- Keywords: anthony gordon, thomas tuchel, england football, world cup 2026, spain, possession, nations league, argentina semi-final, football tactics, barcelona, sports, Gordon
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/24/anthony-gordon-backs-tuchel-over-england-possession-problem-world-cup-nations-league
- Published: 2026-09-24T21:30:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anthony gordon, thomas tuchel, england football, world cup 2026, spain, possession, nations league, argentina semi-final, football tactics, barcelona, sports
## Gordon backs Tuchel on possession
England winger Anthony Gordon sided with Thomas Tuchel's view that controlling games through possession is not part of English football's DNA, ahead of Saturday's Nations League match against Spain.

> It's not in us.
## Argentina loss still stings
England lost a World Cup semi-final to Argentina in July after leading 1-0, with late goals ending their hopes of reaching the final. The defeat sparked intense scrutiny of Tuchel's tactical decisions.
## Spain's possession mastery
Gordon, now at Barcelona, has gained insight into how Spanish players control games through superior decision-making and ball retention, something he believes England cannot replicate.

> It's much different than I've ever experienced in this country.
## Play to English strengths
Gordon argued England should stop trying to copy other nations and instead lean into their physical strengths, playing direct football and counterattacking rather than possession-based football.
## Mexico game took its toll
Gordon said England's emotional last-16 win against Mexico drained the team, with Jordan Henderson fracturing his wrist in celebrations. Recovery took four days and left players exhausted for the Argentina semi-final.

> That Mexico game set us up a little bit.
## Gordon's substitution surprise
Gordon opened the scoring against Argentina but was surprised to be replaced by Ezri Konsa when Tuchel switched to a back five. He defended the decision as a normal tactical adjustment.

> I'd just scored.
## Players could have done more
Gordon defended Tuchel, saying England's training performances were better than their tournament displays. He argued the players should have taken more initiative to control the game against Argentina.
## Barcelona teammates' verdict
Gordon's Barcelona teammates told him England would have given Spain a tougher game than Argentina did in the final, which Spain won one to nothing in extra time in New Jersey.
## Key takeaway

Anthony Gordon argues England cannot and should not try to play like Spain, defending Tuchel's view that possession-based football isn't in English DNA.