"England coach Thomas Tuchel issues caution about resurgence of prolonged contacts"

In a surprising turn of events, England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced a shift in strategy for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The German tactician, known for promoting a possession game based on short passes, has revealed that the long ball is back as a weapon for his team.

This departure from his usual preference for short passes marks a significant change in Tuchel's approach, especially considering that the long ball strategy was not a common tactic for him in the past. The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have not been specified, but Tuchel's announcement has certainly generated a buzz in the footballing world.

One potential player Tuchel might consider for the return to the long ball is Javi Fernandez, a technically skilled and strong right-footed midfield talent from Bayern Munich's youth team. Fernandez, who has been progressing in recovery and could make a comeback soon, possesses the qualities needed to execute the long ball effectively.

Another interesting development is the potential national team debut of Liam Delap, son of the former midfielder Rory Delap. Liam, a striker for Chelsea, has had a successful season at Ipswich Town with 12 goals, and his performance could earn him a spot on the national team.

Tuchel's announcement of relying on long balls is not without precedent. Arsenal briefly used the long ball strategy in the semi-finals of the last Champions League against Tuchel's PSG, with limited success. Meanwhile, Tuchel himself has shown flexibility with his tactical schemes in the past, having won his first four qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup with a variety of approaches.

Tuchel's loss in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in August 2020 while at PSG remains a notable event in his past. However, the experienced manager has indicated that not all tactics can be implemented in four days of training, but they will be important at the World Cup.

In a possible move to further bolster his team, Tuchel has also mentioned the possibility of recruiting Rory Delap, the former midfielder of Stoke City, who is currently free after his stint as assistant coach at Ferencvaros. The addition of Delap, known for his long throws during his playing days, could add another dimension to Tuchel's long ball strategy.

As the World Cup qualifiers approach, the footballing world eagerly awaits to see how Tuchel's new tactical approach will unfold on the pitch.

"England coach Thomas Tuchel issues caution about resurgence of prolonged contacts"