Rashford Retains Spot in England’s Leadership; Tuchel Urges Consistency

England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has urged Marcus Rashford to consistently display his full capabilities, cautioning that inherent talent alone won’t guarantee him a consistent position in the national lineup.

Rashford, who is currently on loan with Barcelona, has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, recording three goals and five assists in ten appearances for the Spanish side after his move from Manchester United.

Despite these encouraging contributions, Tuchel has challenged the 27-year-old to uphold a more consistent standard of performance at both the club and international levels.

“His potential ceiling is exceptionally high, possibly higher than many others. He possesses great potential, but potential can be a misleading concept in elite sports. He needs to consistently perform at his peak,” Tuchel commented.

The England manager also stated clearly that team selection is based on current form, not past accolades.

“It’s not a question of talent; it’s whether he can prove his worth both at his club and on the international stage. Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, he needs to continuously show his value,” Tuchel added.

Tuchel further acknowledged Rashford’s increasing impact within the England setup, confirming that he is still part of the team’s leadership group – a select group of players who exemplify the team’s standards both on and off the field.

“He was an integral part of it during his last time with us. If you want to define it as a leadership group, these players are the driving force behind our standards and mentality. They conduct themselves as captains, they perform as captains; they are my captains,” Tuchel stated.

Rashford, with 18 goals in 64 international appearances, was called back to the national team earlier in the year. England is currently leading Group K and will play against Latvia in Riga this weekend, where a victory could secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.