New England manager a big fan of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder

As everyone will have seen by now, the England national team appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager this week, replacing Gareth Southgate, who had spent eight years in charge.

Tuchel has become the third overseas manager to take charge of the England national team, after Sven Goran-Eriksson, and Fabio Capello. All three have been in the 21st century, and make up three of the seven most recent managers (six if you don’t include Sam Allardyce).

In particular, this news can be seen as something exciting for Spurs midfielder James Maddison. A new manager was already seen as something potentially positive, considering interim manager Lee Carsley did not pick him in either of his two squads, including after a number of squad drop outs the second time.

However, even more so, the news of the Tuchel appointment can be seen as a big opportunity for Maddison. The Guardian reported in 2023 that Chelsea “scouted Maddison extensively” whilst the new England boss was at the club.

The fact he was on the market after Leicester City’s relegation last summer, and Chelsea did not go for him, despite all the signings they made, would suggest that the previous interest in Maddison came from Tuchel himself.

What will be key for the 27-year old is how Tuchel sets up. He extensively played a 343 formation when at Chelsea, but played a more traditional 4231 set up during his time at Bayern Munich. When he was at Paris Saint Germain, Tuchel would often use a 4222 set up, allowing for two number tens.

Should Tuchel use a 4231, it will be very difficult for Maddison to get into the team, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden in that position. In a 343 or 4422 set up, that has two number tens, it could pave the way for him, particularly if Bellingham is used in a deeper role in either of those set ups.

Despite his 23/24 season at club level, Foden has never been able to do it in an England shirt, and that could help Maddison’s cause even more. With Palmer, it is harder to say considering the smaller sample side, but the opportunity could be there.

Although he has been officially announced, Tuchel will not start his post until the New Year, so Maddison may have to wait until March, his first game in charge, in either World Cup qualifiers or the nations league play offs. England have one more camp with Carsley in interim charge, as they face Greece and Ireland in the nations league next month.