In his inaugural stint as England manager, Thomas Tuchel has emerged with valuable insights into his squad. Following two straightforward World Cup qualifying victories against Albania and Latvia, Tuchel stated, "It is good, because I learn about my team and my team learn about me. We will get there."

These matches revealed both promising talents and existing concerns among the players, with some solid performances and a handful that failed to impress. Notably, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Reece James, and Eberechi Eze all celebrated their first goals for England, while captain Harry Kane continued his impressive scoring streak.

Tuchel noted that both Lewis-Skelly and James have emerged as contenders for the full-back positions, whereas the situations at center-back and on the wings remain ambiguous. The limited quality of the opposition allowed England to dominate but raised questions about players' readiness for more challenging encounters.

BBC pundit and former England goalkeeper Rob Green emphasized the need for careful reflection, stating, "Tuchel will turn around and say 'how much could I expect from these two games?' It's been the bare minimum. Still a lot of question marks." Despite this, Tuchel remained optimistic, saying, "These qualifiers bring a bit of tension; we need to see how players react when the going gets tough."

Among the success stories was Reece James, making his return to England’s starting lineup after a long injury absence. The Chelsea star, who was pivotal in the Champions League victory under Tuchel, shone against Latvia, scoring a stunning free-kick and showcasing his quality. "We were in close contact in the last weeks. We knew he was in good shape... He was very positive throughout the camp," Tuchel praised.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, the 18-year-old from Arsenal, made a strong debut and contributed significantly by winning the free-kick leading to James's goal. His versatility in moving into a central midfield role alongside Declan Rice demonstrated his potential for growth on the international stage.

On the defensive side, Ezri Konsa impressed with solid performances at center-back. He notably outshone teammates Dan Burn and Marc Guehi. While Burn showed promise, he struggled to maintain form in the second match, and Guehi was directly involved in Latvia’s chances, raising questions about their long-term reliability in defense.

The attacking front featured Marcus Rashford, who injected energy and created several chances but was criticized for his ball retention, losing possession 36 times over both matches. "He showed the hunger and desire to go again," Tuchel noted, indicating areas for improvement in Rashford’s play.

Eberechi Eze added a spark off the bench against Latvia, providing a different dynamic that caught Tuchel's eye. The Crystal Palace player capitalized on an opportunity, scoring with a deflected shot. Reviews were mixed regarding the contributions of West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, alongside Phil Foden, who seemed out of his element in the system Tuchel employed.

In the midfield, Harry Kane's double in these qualifiers brought his international tally to an impressive 71 goals. Meanwhile, Declan Rice continued to assert his value, contributing assists and maintaining a steady presence in the center.

Notably, promising talents like Curtis Jones and Morgan Rogers were given chances, with Rogers particularly standing out despite his debut pressure. His adaptability allowed him to thrive further forward, showcasing his dribbling and creating opportunities, which pleased Tuchel.

Jordan Pickford remained a steadfast presence in goal despite speculation around his position. He maintained his status as England's number one, clearly earning Tuchel's trust based on his consistent performances for club and country.

Overall, these qualifiers served as a litmus test for Tuchel's early days in charge, highlighting emerging talents and persistent concerns. As England gears up for the challenges ahead, Tuchel, with an eye for potential, will be eager to refine his tactics and maximize player contributions. With the World Cup looming, expect a fierce battle for positions amongst the squad as they all strive to secure their places in the ultimate football showdown. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Tuchel's promising reign!