England players question Tuchel tactics after World Cup exit

England's defensive retreat in their 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina on Wednesday has become a major talking point, with members of Thomas Tuchel's squad also hotly debating the approach. Multiple sources have indicated to BBC Sport that a clutch of key players were left disappointed by how the team handled the final stages of the game.

Fresh comments from Tuchel have emerged in which he said it was never the plan to drop deeper and that "it's maybe not in our DNA…to control the game and ball." Leading 1-0 with 35 minutes left, England appeared on course for their first men's World Cup final since 1966. But the momentum shift was startling. While it was natural for Argentina to start chasing the game, England have been criticized for seeming to hand their opponents the initiative.

Tuchel's tactical setup questioned

Tuchel set his team up with a back five to defend their lead, only to see it overturned in the closing stages amid wave after wave of Argentina pressure. BBC Sport pundit Wayne Rooney said the defeat "started from the manager and the decisions he made." Players saw their families immediately after the defeat in Atlanta, and it is understood there was a definite sense that the way the team was set up after going ahead contributed to their downfall.

BBC Sport is aware of at least three senior players who have complained privately about the team's approach during the closing stages. There is an acknowledgement that ceding ground when defending a lead is a natural instinct, but equally, there is believed to be a consensus among certain players that Tuchel's tactical switches and substitutions exacerbated their defensive retreat.

Players wanted more attacking balance

Certain players believe the team should have had greater licence to press the ball during the closing stages to push Argentina away from their goal, even just to provide respite for the defenders. Instead, while some players recognized it as the team simply clearing their lines and regrouping, it was a tactic some didn't agree with. There is a sense from some players that they could have been bolder and braver—not necessarily to go all-out for a second goal but to strike a balance between withstanding Argentine pressure and giving their opponents something to worry about in attack. One source said: "They went too deep too early."

Of course, players not agreeing with their manager's approach is not uncommon. Professional footballers are used to carrying out instructions even if they disagree. But the consternation from players towards how England were instructed to finish the game paints an interesting picture heading into the rest of Tuchel's reign.

Tuchel: 'Never the plan to drop deeper'

In fresh comments given to British newspapers, Tuchel was asked in detail about the tactics. "I haven't seen the data yet but I think right after the goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession, chances and it drops dramatically," he said. "We got too passive within our structure. I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four. We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active within the structure, but we just struggled. We couldn't find any duels any more which was why we dropped deeper and deeper, which was never the plan but it happened."