Tuchel Wants England to Embrace Long Throws at the World Cup

When it comes to football tactics, Thomas Tuchel has never been afraid to surprise fans. Now, the England manager is hinting at a new (or rather old) weapon for the upcoming World Cup: the return of long throws and direct football. And yes, you read that correctly—England’s next big tactical revolution could involve a bit of classic Sunday league chaos.

England’s Group K Dominance

The Three Lions currently sit comfortably at the top of Group K in World Cup qualifying. With four wins from four and a five-point cushion over Serbia, confidence is high. But Tuchel knows qualification is only step one—what matters is building a team that can handle the pressure of knockout football. According to him, that means mastering not just short passing, but also long balls, goal kicks, and the humble throw-in.

Tuchel’s Tactical Throwback

Tuchel recently pointed out that England’s current team play far fewer long passes than Gareth Southgate’s squad did at Euro 2024. Only 4% of passes in qualifying so far have been long balls, compared to nearly 9% in Southgate’s last tournament. While this might please purists of tiki-taka football, Tuchel believes the World Cup requires a more direct approach.

“I told you – the long throw-in is back,” Tuchel said in a recent press conference. “These small details matter at the World Cup. We will talk about long throws, long kicks from the goalkeeper, and not just playing short.”

Enter Tony Pulis: The Long Throw Specialist

And here’s where things get fun. Rumours (and plenty of banter online) suggest Tuchel might need some outside help for his long-throw masterplan. Step forward, Tony Pulis, the former Stoke City boss who turned Rory Delap’s throw-ins into weapons of mass destruction. Bringing in Pulis as an “assistant throw-in coach” would be the ultimate football meme, but let’s be honest—it would also work. Nobody in world football knows more about exploiting the physics of a towel-dried ball than Tony.

Imagine the scene: England trailing in the World Cup quarter-final, Tuchel signals from the touchline, and Pulis steps forward in a baseball cap, gesturing for a long one. The ball flies 40 yards into the box, chaos ensues, and Harry Kane bundles it over the line. PlayZada Sempre – Always!!

What It Means for England’s Style

Tuchel’s willingness to mix styles is part of his coaching DNA. At Chelsea, PSG, and Dortmund, he blended structured pressing with sudden direct play. Now, with England, he’s preaching adaptability. Possession and flair will always matter, but the World Cup is also about set pieces, aerial duels, and turning half-chances into goals.

With only three international breaks left before the tournament, Tuchel knows he cannot overhaul everything. Instead, he’s introducing practical tweaks—extra focus on crossing, rehearsed long throws, and faster transitions. England’s next friendlies will reveal whether the squad can balance modern build-up play with these “retro” weapons.

Fans React: PlayZada Sempre – Always!!

England fans have taken to social media with a mix of excitement and sarcasm. Memes of Rory Delap, highlights of Pulis’ Stoke days, and hashtags like #LongThrowLions are already trending. For many, it’s a refreshing change from the cautious style of recent tournaments. And for PlayZada readers, it’s just another reminder that football—like online gaming—thrives on unpredictability. Always expect the unexpected. PlayZada Sempre – Always!!

England’s Road to the World Cup

Tuchel’s contract with England runs until after the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. That gives him limited time to test new ideas. If England continues their perfect qualifying run, fans can expect a series of high-profile friendlies where the new “long throw era” might debut. Whether it works or not, the idea itself shows Tuchel’s intent: England won’t just play pretty football, they’ll play winning football.

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Final Thoughts

England’s World Cup journey is shaping up to be entertaining on and off the pitch. Between Tuchel’s tactical innovations, the possibility of Tony Pulis returning to the limelight, and the fan energy building around the squad, excitement levels are soaring. If long throws and direct play can give the Three Lions an edge in tight matches, Tuchel’s gamble might just pay off.

One thing is certain: Whether it’s football, gaming, or life itself, unpredictability is what makes it fun. PlayZada Sempre – Always!!