Anthony Gordon has backed Thomas Tuchel’s belief that managing matches through sustained possession is not a natural feature of English football. Gordon admitted he was surprised to be taken off while England led Argentina 1-0 in their World Cup semi-final, but he did not hold Tuchel responsible for the loss, instead pointing to broader cultural factors behind the team’s late collapse.
England’s long-standing difficulty in retaining possession under pressure resurfaced in July when they were close to reaching the final. Argentina capitalised by scoring twice late in the match to advance. The disappointment remains painful, while Tuchel’s decisions in Atlanta have faced considerable examination. His tactical approach drew criticism, particularly after he claimed that keeping the ball was not a natural part of his team’s identity.
Gordon, who believes the Argentina defeat will stay with him permanently, agreed with Tuchel’s assessment as he prepared for Saturday’s Nations League encounter with Spain. The 25-year-old acknowledged that England have a deep-rooted problem with controlling matches, but suggested they should embrace their own qualities rather than imitate other countries.
Since joining Barcelona, Gordon has developed a better understanding of Spain’s approach to possession. He believes England would benefit from placing greater emphasis on their physical attributes.
“This was not limited to one match or one competition; culturally, controlling games has never been one of our strongest qualities,” Gordon said. “We do not manage possession in the same way Spain do. It is not something that comes naturally to us, and I do not know whether it can simply be taught. My experience in Spain has given me a clearer understanding of how players there retain the ball.
“Their approach is very different from anything I have experienced in England, so perhaps we will never reach exactly the same level. We can certainly improve, but another option is to focus fully on what we do best: using our physical power, playing directly and attacking on the break.”
Tuchel has spoken about accepting the unpredictable nature of English football and remains uncertain whether his team can play with greater control. “It is not part of the English identity,” Gordon said. “English players learn the same fundamentals as Spanish players and understand how to retain possession, but the difference lies in the choices some players in Spain make. At times, I watch what they do with the ball and wonder how they even noticed that possibility.”
Gordon scored England’s opening goal against Argentina and did not expect to be replaced by Ezri Konsa. The change was the first of two defensive adjustments made by Tuchel, who moved to a five-player back line following the second-half hydration break.
“I had only just scored,” Gordon said. “Adrenaline brings out the best in me. After finding the net, I rarely go on to have a poor match because my confidence rises to a level where I feel almost unstoppable.
“However, wingers are substituted in most matches, so it is nothing unusual. That position is often changed first because the replacement is generally fast and has plenty of quality.”
Gordon supported Tuchel, adding that England had failed to reproduce the standard they regularly showed in training. “I can understand why the manager chose a more cautious and defensive approach against Argentina,” he said.
“We, as players, should have taken greater responsibility and done more to manage the match. We had the stronger team and the better individuals in that semi-final, but we did not produce our best football during the final 20 minutes. The manager has only limited influence over what happens in those moments.”
Gordon said his Barcelona teammates believed England would have presented Spain with a more difficult challenge than Argentina did in the final. Spain controlled the contest in New Jersey and secured a 1-0 victory after extra time.
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