Anthony Gordon has backed Thomas Tuchel's view that England's players lack the inbuilt instinct to control matches with possession, urging the Three Lions to lean on England's traditional strengths.

Tuchel's comments followed criticism of England's defensive retreat after Gordon's goal gave them the lead against Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, before rivals turned the match around in the final stages. He argued that ball possession and controlling the game are more ingrained in Spanish or Argentinian-Brazilian DNA.

Speaking ahead of England's Nations League opener with world champions Spain, Gordon said: "England, as a nation, we don't have that strength, like the Spanish, where we control games like they do. It's not in us." The remarks came at St George's Park, developed under former FA chief football officer Dan Ashworth's "England DNA" approach.

Gordon, now playing for Barcelona, said English players know how to keep possession but lack the same natural decision-making. He suggested England could instead play physical, direct football and on the counter-attack, adding that the World Cup disappointment could become a lesson leading to victory in future tournaments.