• Read next I 16 days - Why USA 94 was my World Cup

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The Tuchel touch 

Forget that the current England boss recently signed a new deal to manage England through until 2028, because Thomas Tuchel was appointed with one mission in mind: to win England the World Cup.

A hired gun, which saw The FA throw out their managerial plan, for a go-for-broke stab at trying to win the big one with the best available name on the market. 

Some may say they tried this approach before with first Sven Goran-Eriksson and then Fabio Capello, both of whom failed to deliver, but Tuchel's appointment felt and still feels more direct, having seen Gareth Southgate take the team as far as he can. 
 

Some weren't fans of the approach, but there's no right or wrong way to win a World Cup. Tuchel falls into that elite manager bracket, a coach who knows how to win the big one, and who has already shown in his 18 months in charge is not afraid of the big calls - something which Eriksson and Capello shied away from. 

That winning streak comes with a tactical nous to change games when needed and step up to the plate against the nations England have so often failed to defeat. While for all the good Southgate did for the Three Lions, his failings came with getting them over the line when it was there for the taking. 

Of course, Tuchel is 'just' a coach; if England are to be world champions, they need a team capable of doing so, and they need a world-class leader. Luckily, they have both, and luckily, they have Harry Kane. 

Best in the world 

England have often relied on one marquee name to be the difference at a major tournament. Whether it's Lineker, Shearer, Beckham or Rooney. But have they headed into a competition with a player in the form and fitness of Harry Kane? 

The simple answer is no. Because right now Harry Kane is genuinely among the best players in the world and within a real shout of winning the Ballon d'Or, an award none of the previous names ever even really got near. 

He's scored SIXTY-ONE goals for Bayern Munich this season and captured a league and cup double with the Germans. His hat-trick in the German cup final reeked of a player who knows he's almost untouchable right now, and it's something England have never had going into a major finals. 

If Kane can carry that form into the tournament, it instantly puts the team in pole position. He's been that good.  

Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Squad of specialists 

Yet, even Harry Kane can't completely do it all on his own - even though at times he tries. No, he'll need a stellar cast around him to make sure of a final appearance stateside.

There may have been some hoo-hah around Tuchel's final selection of players, but let's be honest, it was mainly down to the supporting acts rather than who will start against Croatia on June 17th. 

In Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers or Jude Belligham, Kane has the ideal players around him to make the most of what he does in England's frontline. 
Getty Images

Behind them, the base of Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson is proving to be just the pairing Tuchel was looking for in his engine room, too. 

If fit, full-backs Reece James and Nico O'Reilly offer talent, adaptability and intelligence, while in the centre, Marc Guehi has matured into a top-drawer centre-half, backed up by either John Stones or Ezri Konsa. 

It's a first XI that functions as it should and is built to get the best out of the premier player in the world right now. 

But also, it's a squad that offers a specialised plan B and C if specialists are needed throughout the finals. It doesn't need individual talent; it needs what Tuchel demands and drills. And it checks all the boxes. 

The time is now 

I'd convinced myself after the Euros final that I wouldn't believe again. No longer would I be fooled into thinking football was coming home, and England would finally do it. 

However, here we are again, but as already stated, it feels different. The Three Lions have an elite boss, they have a specialised and talented squad, and they have Harry Kane. 

Should there be teams to fear? Sure. But do any of them really have the feel of a favourite who'd sweep aside the rest? France may differ, but is their defence one that could be got at? 

Are Spain as good as two years ago? Will Argentina live up to expectations, while Brazil and Germany feel like they are still in some transition? 

Not convinced? Maybe we shouldn't be. This is England after all. 

But this England feels primed and ready to throw Baddiel and Skinner's words into motion and finally etch their name into English footballing folklore. Whisper it quietly...but it might be coming home after all. 
 

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