Thomas Tuchel has some "real big issues" to sort out, according to  as he prepares to take over as manager.

The German coach will officially take the reins on January 1 before spearheading the Three Lions' . After a couple of iffy performances in October, England picked up two wins from two last week to end interim stint on a high and secure passage back to the top tier of the .

Looking ahead to reign, Richards said he was concerned about how many top players were in England's talent pool, and suggested the former boss might find it tough not only to fit everybody in, but also to maintain dressing room harmony. "When you look at it, at times he's played a 3-4-2-1, he's got some real big issue to sort in terms of personnel," the 36-year-old said on .

"If you look at what doing week in, week out for Chelsea, he's got to play. has to play, what he gives the team. , we'd all say he probably needs to play because of what he can give, his goalscoring record, how he can link up.

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"Then you've got players like [Bukayo] Saka, [Ollie] Watkins, [Phil] Foden, it's difficult," Richards added. "What we didn't give [Gareth] Southgate enough credit for at the time was having all these wonderful players and [being able] to fit them all in. It's about getting that balance right, and I think he [Tuchel] has got to go for the best balance for the team, rather than just trying to get the individual brilliance in."

interjected, saying he thought Tuchel would have little problem in dropping a top player for the sake of team balance. "He won't be afraid to upset players and he'll tell it how it is... and I don't think it'll be a problem because I don't think he'll care if he upsets any big-name players," the legend, 54, said.

"I don't think that [dropping or upsetting big players] is an issue for him, because of his record, because of what he's won, he's already walking in what that on his shoulders. So for him to then leave a big player out, I don't think that's an issue. I don't think it's a big problem. It's never a big problem when you've got so many wonderful players.

"He's walking into an incredible dressing room with some great players, but he's also a great manager who's won most things, so with that back up he goes in and does what he wants. Ultimately you're going to be judged on results, and if the players don't like it when he's getting results, then he won't take them with him."

unveiled Tuchel, 51, as Southgate's successor in October, though eyebrows were raised when it was announced he wouldn't be starting until the New Year. He's been handed an 18-month contract, meaning that he might only get the chance to lead England into one major international tournament (the 2026 Word Cup).

As Shearer mentioned, Tuchel isn't afraid to butt heads with big names if the situation calls for it. At Dortmund he reportedly had , while at he frequently .

He infamously at Chelsea after the Belgian conducted an on Italian TV, criticising Tuchel's tactical approach. It's also understood he came to blows with Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller at as the German giants lost their grip on the Bundesliga title for the first time in over a decade last season.

According to Kane, who worked with him at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel "won't shy away from confrontation", but "gets that balance right" between fostering an enjoyable working environment and ensuring focus is at the highest level possible.

"He’s a really good motivator," the England skipper told . "And tactically he’s known for being one of the best. It will be interesting for him because he will experience only having 10-day camps and then not seeing us for a few months.

"Talking to the boys who worked with him at Chelsea, they seemed to get on well with him. He gets that balance right of having a bit of banter […], but when you’re on the pitch it is full focus.

"He won’t shy away from confrontation if need be. I think he will be very straight-talking in the media. But he will always protect his players. He is pretty straight in how he talks, and maybe there were some players who didn’t like that or agree with that [at Bayern]. Probably come March there will be players who might disagree with some things. Time will tell, but I am looking forward to reuniting with him."

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