England face Group K minnows Latvia at Wembley on Monday and here are the main talking points ahead of the game
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Man City star Phil Foden in action for England against Albania
Man City star Phil Foden in action for England against Albania(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
England are set to continue their pursuit of a World Cup slot when they welcome Latvia to Wembley Stadium.
Man City star Phil Foden is expected to keep his place on the right-wing, despite criticism for his performance in Friday's 2-0 win over Albania.
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Roy Keane blasted the 24-year-old in the ITV studio post-match and his form for England is now in the limelight ahead of a second match at Wembley Stadium in three days.
So ahead of Thomas Tuchel's second match in charge of the Three Lions, here's a look at some key pre-match talking points.
Tuchel wants more
Following Friday's win over Albania, which was neither flashy nor faultless, Tuchel was left wanting more
Despite promising a dynamic style akin to the Premier League, Tuchel's team showed some struggles in penetrating defensive setups. Now, the German manager is looking for faster ball movement and increased aggression as the team adapts to his methods.
Concerning his expectations, Tuchel said: "We will understand better now, I will understand the players better, so where do they feel confident? Where do we struggle? Why is it for us hard to find more runs and to find more aggressive movements into the very last third?"
Foden problem
Phil Foden, often brilliant for Manchester City, didn't shine quite as brightly against Albania, especially while positioned on the right wing.
Roy Keane, serving as pundit, said that Foden may be fortunate if he remains in the starting line-up, given his recurring challenges in translating his club form onto the international stage.
And Tuchel wants Foden to adopt a more assertive approach, urging: "We will encourage him to do what he does best – to go at defenders, to go into dribbles.
"We played him from the right wing. I think both of our wingers who started were not as impactful as they normally can be, as they are normally in club football."
Rotation Policy
Tuchel is prepared to rotate his squad against Latvia as he manages fatigue and maximises his limited time with the players.
The German manager may make several changes across the field as he experiments with different combinations and options.
The forward areas are expected to see rotation, with Foden and Marcus Rashford's positions potentially at risk following their less than stellar performances against Albania. Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers are among those waiting for their opportunity.
Tightening Grip on Qualification
Although it's only the second of eight qualifying games, a win would put England in a commanding position in Group K.
Serbia pose the main threat to England, but they're engaged in Nations League matches during this international break, giving Tuchel's team a chance to gain a significant advantage.
Two victories from two would place England in a favourable position ahead of June's qualifier against Andorra and the crucial match in Belgrade in September.
First Encounter with Latvia
This will be England's inaugural match against Latvia, currently ranked 140th globally.
Latvia also began their Group K campaign with a win, narrowly defeating minnows Andorra 1-0. However, they are not anticipated to challenge for qualification for next summer's World Cup.
Daniels Balodis, a defender who plays for Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone, is likely the most recognisable name in their squad.
England boast an impressive record of being unbeaten in their last 32 World Cup qualifiers, the longest run of any European nation. It would indeed be a significant surprise if this streak were to end against the Baltic nation.