Tuchel Praises Impact of Substitutes in England's Victory Over Serbia

Wembley, England – England manager Thomas Tuchel lauded the positive influence of his substitutes following the Three Lions' 2-0 victory against Serbia in their recent World Cup qualifier. The win, secured on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Wembley, maintained England's perfect record in Group K and further solidified their place at next summer's tournament.

Bukayo Saka's stunning volley in the first half put England ahead. However, Tuchel emphasized the importance of building a complete team, not just a starting eleven, and was pleased to see returning stars Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, among others, make a significant impact after being introduced in the second half.

With the score at 1-0, Tuchel made a quadruple substitution, bringing on Bellingham, Foden, and Eberechi Eze. The fresh injection of energy and quality immediately revitalized England's attack. Foden's incisive pass set up Eze, who finished with a sublime strike to seal the victory.

Tuchel addressed the media after the match, expressing his satisfaction with the team's performance and specifically highlighting the contributions of the substitutes. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Serbia, noting that they "knew everything about us and we knew nothing about them" and that they "came with new energy and made it a final for them".

"We had a good impact from the bench,” Tuchel said. “The game became a bit more stretched after we did the subs. We brought on quality players and they wanted to show that".

Tuchel also spoke about the importance of having a strong squad where players are ready to contribute, even if they are disappointed at not starting. He stated, "This is not about building a starting 11, it's about building a team". He further emphasized the need for players to put their egos aside and contribute to the team's goals.

When asked about different names for players coming off the bench, Tuchel said: “I have not named it in a different way but I kind of like it. I like bomb squad a bit more than finisher".

Phil Foden, who played a vital role as a substitute, echoed Tuchel's sentiments. "Amazing to be back … so happy … with these great players … I thought I did well … created a few chances … happy with my impact," Foden told ITV. He also expressed his willingness to play in multiple positions, stating, "wherever my manager wants me … only time will tell".

England now look ahead to their match against Albania, with Tuchel likely to rotate his squad and give other players an opportunity to impress. With a World Cup place already secured, these matches provide a valuable opportunity to experiment and fine-tune the team before the tournament next summer.