Three Lions’ head coach says “numbers don’t reach the potential” and charges Barcelona winger to improve his end product
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes Marcus Rashford has the talent to become one of the world’s top forwards, but has warned the Barcelona winger that his career risks falling short of its potential unless he becomes more ruthless in front of goal.
Rashford joined Barcelona from Manchester United on loan during the summer and has made a promising start in Spain, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 10 appearances.
He has also been recalled to the England squad after being left out for a year due to poor form.
Yet Tuchel insists the 26-year-old must demand more of himself to fulfil his ability at both club and international level.
“He can be one of the best in the world because of the finishing and the quality I see in training, with both legs and his head,” said Tuchel. “He is explosive, he is fast, he is strong in the air, so for him there are no limits.
“But the numbers don’t reach the potential. He needs to push himself with goal involvements. He knows that from me.
The England head coach, who recalled Rashford after he took charge of the Three Lions, said he has held frequent conversations with the winger about maintaining focus and improving his end product.
“He is still young enough to make these decisions, because otherwise he might be disappointed in 10 years with what he could have been and what he may have done,” said Tuchel.
“That is the headline for him, to keep pushing himself to the limit. And the limit for him is very, very high, maybe higher than it is for others.
Tuchel has always been one of Rashford’s vocal supporters, stretching all the way back to when he was Paris Saint-Germain coach and faced Manchester United a number of times, with Rashford famously scoring a late penalty to dump the Parisians out of the Champions League in 2019.
“He has this potential,” said Tuchel. “But potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports, because you have to reach your personal best on a regular basis.
“That is demanded on this kind of level and that is the challenge for him. It is not a question of talent.
“It is a question of whether he can prove the point at club and international level. This is his task. If he starts fast or if he comes off the bench, he has to constantly prove himself.”
