Souness reckons Tuchel isn't solely to blame as the German becomes the fall guy for England's World Cup failings
12:04, 18 Jul 2026
Graeme Souness reckons Thomas Tuchel isn't to blame for England coming up short at the World Cup.
And he reckons they won't make any progress until they stop putting stars like Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson on a pedestal alongside the best players in the world.
Tuchel is facing backlash even from within his own dressing room after England took the lead against Argentina in the semi-final, then put the handbrake on and failed to lay a glove on Lionel Messi and Co., who fought back and dramatically to win 2-1.
His perceived negativity has sparked huge criticism from the English media, while it's even claimed key players are unhappy with the defensive approach the manager took after his side took the lead.
Speaking ahead of the third-place playoff with France, Tuchel defended his tactics and says he has no regrets.
And former Scotland star Souness reckons he has no reason to.
He points the finger squarely at the players, who he believes aren't as good as some down south would have you believe.
Souness wrote in his Telegraph column: "When it came down to it, there was one inescapable fact about England’s elimination from the World Cup: the players were not good enough. It is that simple.
"This is not a Scotsman with bitter and twisted views revelling in the defeat by Argentina, I’m speaking as someone with a lifetime at the highest level in the game. I know what I have seen from England at this tournament and I can say with certainty it wasn’t world class.
"I use that phrase for a specific reason. During a Premier League campaign, I hear on a weekly basis that someone is –world class” because they make a good pass or they have become a 'legend' after winning one trophy or accumulating 200 appearances by the age of 24. Please stop this terminology.
"The Premier League is the most physically demanding in the world and there is no question it provides excitement – but it isn’t populated by world-class English players and, once again, that was underlined on the biggest stage.
"Other than 15 minutes against a Croatia team who had seen better days, England’s football was a difficult watch. They had moments against DR Congo, Mexico and Norway, but when they had to go up a level against Argentina, they couldn’t do it. World class stood in front of them in a navy-blue kit.
"Everything I have read and listened to since Wednesday has put Thomas Tuchel front and centre as the man responsible for it all and said his tactics were to blame. I can’t accept that. There was no great change from his tactics against Mexico and Norway, was there?"
Harry Kane is arguably the best No.9 in the world right now but outside of that, Souness questions whether England have another player befitting of the title of 'world class.'
And until they stop using that kind of language to talk up the likes of Arsenal captain Rice and Man City's new £116m man Anderson, he reckons they'll continue to struggle.
The former Liverpool and Rangers hero went on: "I have spoken a lot about Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson during the past month, and the reason my focus is on them is because that is where I played. I’m sure Rice is a good lad and I hear good things about his character, but he isn’t helped when he’s constantly called 'world class'.
"He takes an excellent set-piece and his athleticism is to be admired, but do you ever see him dictate the tempo of a match in the way that Rodri will attempt to do for Spain when they face Argentina on Sunday in New Jersey? The blunt answer is no. He doesn’t have cute, clever balls in his armoury.
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"Anderson is a young boy and, again, I see no fault in his attitude. But there are limitations to what he can do. I know people will argue back and say Manchester City have just paid £116m for him, but I would counter that and say City don’t always get things right.
"Argentina has produced the greatest footballers in history, from Alfredo Di Stéfano to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, with many others in between. They are the definition of world class. When you think of them, it should keep your language in check."