England’s long-awaited managerial changing of the guard was completed last night with a businesslike 2-0 defeat of Albania at Wembley. Along with every other Hammers‘ fan I was disappointed to see Jarrod Bowen omitted from the starting line up with Phil Foden being given the right winger duties.
Trying to remain neutral watching Foden achieve absolutely nothing in seventy five minutes was tricky. Bowen’s appearance with just 15 minutes to go, did not allow West Ham’s skipper to achieve much although he was involved in the build up play for England’s second goal well taken by Harry Kane.
It seems Thomas Tuchel was not impressed with either of his wingers – neither Foden nor left winger Marcus Rashford sparkled and the new England Manager made his feelings known, suggesting Bowen may well get a look – in on Monday.
“I think both of our wingers who started were not as impactful as they normally can be.” Was the after-match verdict.
“I’m not so sure why we struggled to bring the ball quicker to them, to bring the ball in more open positions to them. .. I’m not sure why it took us so long to get going. We lacked a little bit runs off the ball. It was a bit too much passing, not enough dribbling [from Foden and Rashford], not enough carrying the ball and driving with the ball.”
“(They were) not aggressive enough towards goal.”
Come on, Mr Tuchel.. this is exactly what Jarrod Bowen has been doing all season. So you’d hope the Hammers’ winger would get his chance at Wembley on Monday night when Tuchel’s England have a second qualifier against Latvia.
