By
SABC Sport
23rd March 2025
Both wingers were substituted in the 74th minute, making way for Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon, as they struggled to have a significant impact during the match at Wembley.
In his post-match comments, Tuchel said, "Both Rashford and Foden didn't have the kind of impact we're accustomed to seeing from them, whether at the national or club level. We're still trying to figure out why we didn't get the ball to them as quickly or in more favorable positions. I'll be reviewing the footage to better understand what happened."
Ahead of Monday's game against Latvia, Tuchel was asked whether he had provided specific feedback to Rashford and Foden regarding their roles going forward. He explained, "Yes, I've had conversations with both players, even in front of the team. They know I value their work, especially off the ball. The numbers, along with our match analysis, show how much they contribute defensively and in terms of counter-pressing. Their running metrics were solid."
Tuchel noted that Rashford had made several runs that weren't fully utilized by the team. "Marcus had many off-the-ball runs that we didn't take advantage of," he said. "Timing was a factor in some cases, and perhaps we missed him. As for Phil, it's just a matter of finding his rhythm, which didn't quite happen in this match."
Despite the lack of standout moments, Tuchel remains optimistic about the pair's potential. "Both players are in a good frame of mind and understand exactly what we expect from them. We want to get them into one-on-one situations where they can be more decisive. Phil may need a closer connection with a number 10, something we didn't quite manage to create for him in this game. As for Marcus, he did have a key assist for Jude Bellingham, and his off-the-ball effort was exactly what we need."
Tuchel stressed that no player would be dropped solely based on individual performance from the Albania match. "At this stage, no one will be dropped for performance reasons. We did what was required, though we know there's room for improvement. We'll focus on refining our game, and if we think fresh legs could make a difference, we won't hesitate to rotate. But right now, no one's being excluded for not meeting standards."
In conclusion, Tuchel emphasized the importance of effort and teamwork, particularly in the off-the-ball work, and reaffirmed his confidence in Rashford and Foden's abilities moving forward.