One Harry Kane pass to his fellow forward in otherwise routine win over Albania gives a hint of how England could succeedOne of the problems of international football is that everybody is always asking the wrong question, which to an extent is built into the form. Qualifiers matter only in as much as they have to be negotiated. Friday’s win by England over Albania fell into a very familiar pattern. The brave new world of Thomas Tuchel turned out to look a lot like the faded old world of Gareth Southgate. England had lots of the ball, did not move it fast enough and won by a couple of goals. It does not matter. They could have won 10-0, 8-5 or 1-0 and it would mean almost nothing in terms of the winning of the World Cup.England want to win the World Cup next summer. They have a squad that should make them challengers. Barring pratfalls, there will come a point next year when they will play an Argentina or a Spain or a France, a team of equivalent or greater talent and, almost certain...
Jonathan Wilson argues Marcus Rashford's speed and runs from deep could make Harry Kane more effective for Tuchel's England, potentially exceeding the importance of Palmer or Saka. The article highlights a Kane pass to Rashford in a routine win over Albania as a hint of England's potential success, while noting the team's struggles against deep-lying defenses.
