Thomas Tuchel's arrival as England head coach has sparked considerable discussion about the future of several players, but perhaps none more so than Marcus Rashford. Once a guaranteed starter, Rashford's form dipped significantly, leading to periods of exclusion from the national team. However, Tuchel's recent comments suggest a belief in Rashford's potential and a vision for revitalizing his career.
Tuchel has publicly acknowledged that Rashford "struggles a bit with numbers and with the 'wow' performance in an England shirt". Despite this, Tuchel emphasizes the importance of Rashford's positive attitude and quality in training. "As long as he trains like he did and behaves and is active and alive in the group, then we will always trust him and push him and support him," Tuchel stated. He sees that Rashford is trying and staying positive, which Tuchel considers paramount.
The England manager has also challenged Rashford to push himself to the limit, believing he can still become one of the best in the world. Tuchel noted that Rashford's potential is exceptionally high, but potential alone is not enough. He stressed the need for consistent performance at both club and international level. "You have to reach your personal best on a regular basis," Tuchel said, adding that it's not just about talent but about proving himself constantly.
Tuchel highlighted Rashford's qualities, including his finishing ability with both feet and his head, his explosiveness, speed, and aerial strength. He believes there are no limits to what Rashford can achieve, but his goal involvement, in terms of goals and assists, needs to improve.
A significant move in Rashford's career has been his loan to Barcelona. Tuchel has expressed satisfaction with Rashford's "major career transformation". He included Rashford in the squad to face Andorra and Serbia, seeing the Barcelona move as a positive step. Tuchel said Rashford had a very good training camp and is trying hard to be the best version of himself. He wanted to encourage him and provide positive feedback.
Tuchel's selection of Rashford over other players, such as Jack Grealish, demonstrates his faith in the forward's specific abilities. Tuchel believes Rashford offers one-on-one capabilities, finishing ability with both feet, and the speed and physicality to intimidate opponents.
However, Tuchel has also cautioned Rashford against complacency. He has urged him not to "fall back on old routines" and to maintain the high level he demonstrated at Aston Villa. Tuchel wants Rashford to stay at that level and not revert to old habits.
Despite Rashford's loan move, Tuchel maintains that he must prove himself, whether starting or coming off the bench. While some fans have expressed surprise at Tuchel's team selections, particularly the decision to start Ollie Watkins ahead of Rashford, Tuchel's focus appears to be on maximizing Rashford's potential through consistent effort and a positive mindset. Tuchel's approach seems to be a blend of encouragement and challenge, pushing Rashford to not be "disappointed" at the end of his career by not fulfilling his potential.