England assistant coach Anthony Barry says the new structure under Thomas Tuchel means key attackers are not 'caged in', as Jude Bellingham thrives in a more fluid role. The Real Madrid player was sensational in Saturday's 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka, just as he was in the 3-2 defeat against Spain at Wembley the previous Saturday. Playing in the No 10 role but with greater licence to drift and overload on either side, there were times when Bellingham seemed to be playing with his own ball.
New structure gives Bellingham freedom
Barry, who has been through the debriefs and mulled over the minutiae with Tuchel, explained how the structure in the Nations League allows Bellingham to play more from intuition. "The structure [now in the Nations League] allows Jude to play more from his intuition," Barry says, "and less from being locked down or caged in a certain position. It allows him to roam and operate in spaces in which he thinks he can be dangerous and so far it's brought out the best in him."
Barry acknowledged the challenge of giving Bellingham a space where he can do everything at once inside one game. "Right now, in a short sample, it seems like we found a solution to unlock all of the potential that Jude has. But we have to continue."
Principle-driven approach
The blueprint was evident against Croatia, with players encouraged to push into new zones away from those traditionally dictated by their positions. Tuchel had the full-backs extremely high and the wingers making zipping runs off the sides. Harry Kane was seen dropping into defensive spaces out of possession, and the counterpress was ferocious, with players seeking to regain the ball within two or three seconds.
Barry said the team has moved to a more principle-driven approach. "We have moved to a more principle-driven approach, which allows for more flexibility and fluidity," Barry says. "But fluidity only looks good if it's anchored by real principles. There is always a danger in international football with such a lack of time to prepare that if you go for this fluid model it can look quite messy. With the IQ of the players we have, it's been quite natural for them to work together, operate in different spaces."
He added: "It's not about starting new, it's about continuation and adding stuff on top. It's less prescribed, less fixed in the idea of: 'You play here, you play there.' It's more interchanges of position. We feel it suits this group of players and is the best way to break down opposing blocks."
Kane closing in on record
Kane is primed to win his 125th cap on Tuesday night and equal Peter Shilton's England men's record. Barry was effusive in his praise of Kane's professionalism and leadership, his selflessness, his lack of ego; how he is happy to "track back and do the dirty work".
Barry added: "He's the best ball-striker I have ever worked with." It is worth noting Barry worked with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time with Portugal as the assistant manager to Roberto Martínez. The intensity has to endure, but it is the proactive add-ons that the management hope will drive the new tournament cycle, continuing against Czechia in the Nations League at Wembley on Tuesday night.
