Gordon backs Tuchel on possession ahead of England v Spain Nations League tie

Anthony Gordon said he agreed with Thomas Tuchel that controlling matches through possession is not part of English football’s DNA, speaking ahead of England’s Nations League fixture with Spain on Saturday. The 25-year-old also addressed his substitution while England were 1-0 up in the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

Gordon said he was surprised to be taken off when England led 1-0 but refused to blame the defeat on Tuchel’s decisions, instead pointing to broader cultural issues within English football. He described England’s recurring difficulty keeping the ball under pressure as having re-emerged in July when a place in the World Cup final was within touching distance, allowing Argentina to fight back and go through with two late goals. The pain from that loss has not gone away and there has been intense scrutiny of Tuchel’s role in Atlanta.

The head coach’s tactical choices were criticised and he faced a backlash after saying "ball possession" was not in his team's DNA.

Gordon said he thinks he will always be scarred by losing against Argentina and sided with Tuchel’s observations about England’s style as he looked towards the Spain game. The winger admitted the side had an ingrained inability to control games and argued they should stop trying to copy other nations.

Since his move to Barcelona, Gordon said he has gained insight into the Spanish understanding of how to use the ball and expressed the view that England should lean more into their physical strengths.

Gordon’s remarks came in advance of England’s Nations League match against Spain on Saturday.