# Tuchel's England: Tactical Shifts

> England's tactical evolution under Tuchel focuses on counter-pressing and asymmetric play.
- Title: Tuchel's England: Tactical Shifts · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: England's tactical evolution under Tuchel focuses on counter-pressing and asymmetric play. Tuchel's England now uses a 3-1-3-3 formation with extra…
- Keywords: thomas tuchel, england, tactical shift, counter-pressing, 3-1-3-3 formation, miles hall, elliot anderson, trent alexander-arnold, saka, jade bellingham, morgan rogers, kane
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvp8gex8wzneo
- Published: 2026-10-07T11:06:41.669+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: thomas tuchel, england, tactical shift, counter-pressing, 3-1-3-3 formation, miles hall, elliot anderson, trent alexander-arnold, saka, jade bellingham, morgan rogers, kane
## Tuchel's England tactics
After the World Cup, Thomas Tuchel was asked whether he had seen his version of England during the tournament - a question that drew a hesitant and unsure answer.
## World Cup approach
Over the summer, the Three Lions found ways to win but often leaned on scrappy moments of brilliance rather than methodical dominance.
## Tactical blueprint
Tuchel and his assistant coach Anthony Barry have often spoken about borrowing ideas from the Premier League.
## World Cup execution
Building up short. Enticing pressure. Playing quickly across the middle of the pitch, whether through powerful carrying or long balls, to find runners in attack against fewer defenders.
## Recent changes
During the recent international break, many of the ideas we saw during the World Cup and prior have persisted.
## Central build-up unit
Rather than giving the build-up responsibilities to two central defenders and a holding midfielder as they did during the World Cup, England have committed an extra player to this central build-up unit.
## 2-2 to 3-1 shape
Two central midfielders and two central defenders look to solve problems against pressing attackers with a shape that fluctuates between a 2-2 or a 3-1.
## Anderson's role
Tuchel has praised Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who took turns with Myles Lewis-Skelly to pair with Elliot Anderson in the heart of midfield in Declan Rice's absence.
## Anderson's adaptation
Either player taking the role of busy partner for Anderson - boasting technical quality and an ability to take turns playing as a lone holding midfielder - have proved successful for England.
## Anderson's new role
Anderson, who sat at the base of midfield for much of the World Cup has, as a result, been deployed in a more varied role.
## Counter-pressing
We've always played with high energy and a very aggressive style off the ball, to press high. Now we have added another layer.
## Tactical improvements
It's the next step. [Now, our] intensity was very high on the ball. We did a lot of high intensity runs, a lot of counter movements, and invested a lot in counter pressing.
## World Cup formation
In the World Cup, the system looked like a 4-3-3 on paper. The two centre-backs and holding midfielder formed a triangle. On both flanks, a central midfielder, full-back and winger formed a triangle.
## Current formation
England's recent 3-1-3-3 shape in possession has given them an extra player at the back but appears to have also provided better attacking dynamics.
## Key takeaway

Tuchel's England now uses a 3-1-3-3 formation with extra midfielders to improve counter-pressing and create space for attackers.