Tuchel's England squad can't avoid political symbolism despite his disdain

The St. George’s crosses are visible everywhere. The opening line of Three Lions ’98 carries a different weight today. In Basildon, the flag has been painted on an Islamic center. In York, it was used to vandalize a Chinese restaurant. Elsewhere, men draped in the flag shout from a roundabout near a hotel. Online, the flag sells for around £2.36, with options for car-window sizes or larger versions, some bearing bold slogans.

Keir Starmer has stated he is "a supporter of flags," though his views on other textiles remain unconfirmed. Blankets? Dishcloths? No clarity yet. Not to be outdone, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed she displays St. George’s bunting at home, adding, "I would put them up anywhere"—an unfortunate mental image best avoided.

The recent surge in flag displays is, of course, a thinly veiled tactic from the far-right, using patriotism to smuggle divisive politics into public spaces. It’s just a flag—why overthink it? critics ask. Yet these displays often happen at night, hardly a traditional time for expressions of national unity.

Amid this tangled debate over symbols and meanings, England’s national team, under Thomas Tuchel, prepares for matches against Andorra and Serbia, regrouping after a disappointing summer.

Sporting questions remain—can Elliot Anderson secure a midfield role? Can Tuchel find a sharper approach against defensive teams? Yet beyond tactics, this is a notable moment for the team, stepping onto the field under a flag loaded with history and interpretation.

Football, particularly in England, often sidesteps these discussions, prioritizing tradition and commercial interests. The usual clichés prevail: honor to represent, play for the badge, thought it was a prank call.

Tuchel, for his part, is indifferent to identity and nationalism debates. At his introduction, he clarified, “I’m a head coach, not a manager,” distancing himself from the broader cultural discourse.