At 5:16pm inside the Boston Stadium, the big screen above the Ghana goal flashed a statistic. ‘England defensive line breaks: Around — 6. Over — 4. Through — 0.’Three numbers that led to thoughts of one name: Cole Palmer.Ghana, needing only a point to guarantee progression, were more than happy to block the centre of the pitch and funnel England’s possession wide. There, they were ganging up and heading away any crosses delivered.Yet, the only thing Thomas Tuchel fundamentally changed was his wide players. He seemed to accept that there was no way through this Ghana team.It was classic Carlos Queiroz, the tactician who specialises in surgically removing space for top teams to operate. In 15 World Cup matches with three nations — Portugal, Iran and Ghana — this was the fourth goalless draw he had coached, the tenth game with one goal or fewer and the twelfth with two or fewer.But it is a particularly English problem to struggle badly for inspiration in this type of game, a 0-0 draw. They have played out 13 goalless draws in the World Cup — the most of any nation. On this occasion, England recorded 78.8 per cent possession against Ghana, their highest-ever figure in a World Cup match and the most by any side that failed to score in a match in the competition (since records began in 1966).It is also a particularly English problem for the player most capable of weaving a way through a packed defence to be sitting at home. Even worse is the fact that this time, the player in question — Palmer — dominated a tournament in this country just a year ago.The struggle to break down Ghana had many factors, but perhaps the most telling was that Marc Guehi’s 126 successful passes were the most by an England player in a single World Cup match. In comparison, Harry Kane touched the ball just 17 times in the attacking half.“He was not involved as much as we would like, but they were so, so narrow,” said Thomas Tuchel.“Basically, our two central defenders were responsible for the build-up, and then it was eight against 10, so it was difficult to find space.”There was a vacuum of creativity in the middle of the pitch. The balance of playing Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice as a controlling partnership felt off from the start. With Ghana posing such little threat, it felt like Tuchel could have squeezed another progressive passer into the midfield. The use of Jude Bellingham higher alongside Kane, as opposed to a deeper role dropping into pockets, meant there was an absence of players who can connect the play. Their possession was all in front of Ghana. It took until the 41st minute for England to attempt a ball over the top.During his half-time interview, England assistant coach Anthony Barry said the key was to remain patient because England had been “absolutely OK”. In elite coaching circles, they probably had been better than “absolutely OK”, but it is still apparent when a competent team is lacking a spark.“We did the details at a high level. I know it’s not spectacular for the fans, but it needs to be done,” Tuchel said. “The positioning when we attack, to not concede counter-attacks, and the reaction to counter-press was at a very high level.”Tuchel’s attempt to change the game saw him changing the wide dynamics. Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon simply did not work as two right-footed players programmed to cut inside. Nico O’Reilly came on for Spence, Noni Madueke shuffled over from the right flank in the 70th minute to take over from Gordon. Marcus Rashford then came on in the 83rd minute to replace Madueke.Tuchel said he wanted to commit the full-backs more in their attacking play to have three players on the side. The order was to cross more. To continue going around, not through. Tuchel kept Kane on for the full duration. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney did not get off the bench. “Change Harry Kane in a game that is stuck at 0-0?” said Tuchel, smirking at the very thought of it. But if this is not the game to switch striker, or trial a front two when ordering a rainfall of crosses, then when will it be?When Tuchel unravels the game, his analysis is calculated. He has worked through the risks and rewards. Yet, it leaves you feeling a little cold. Wondering whether the layers of logic may have gone overboard. That, in reaction to yesteryear’s approach of throwing the best individuals together, Tuchel has overcompensated and over-optimised.This is a squad designed to cover all eventualities, with six conventional centre-backs and five defenders capable of covering all across the backline. It is one with space for Spence as a specialist defender to guard against Ghana counter-attacks, but not one with room for a maverick with the vision and guile of Palmer.It was a game in which the Chelsea midfielder was conspicuous by his absence. This was the sort of specific challenge he could have helped to unblock. No folder of instructions needed. Just go and find the space. Make it happen.England need more ingenuity and small-space players. Without them, they risk becoming predictable.“I had some ideas in the last water break, but I was a bit hesitant, so I have an idea of how we can maybe have a bit more players through the middle. I won’t explain it here because I will try it later in the tournament,” said Tuchel. “I don’t think we become predictable. We have wide wingers; their strength is on the wing. We have full-backs in half-positions that commit to attack, and we try to break it down on the wing. Cole Palmer was left out of the England squad (George Wood/Getty Images)“We always have options to go through the middle and switch the play, but today it was very difficult because of a very strong defensive approach.”Ghana may well have put in one of the most physical defensive performances he has ever seen and denied England a red carpet through the middle of the pitch, but the best teams force a way through. They attack on their terms. Argentina’s rapid, one-touch combinations through the centre. France’s front four rotations. Germany’s bench options against the Ivory Coast changed their dynamic. It may take a while to recalibrate, but their best technical players are backed to perform. Tuchel, on the other hand, talks about attacking to defend. About not switching off for one second in possession in case they are countered on.These are the stresses of high-stakes knockout football at the World Cup. It was just not expected to be this stuffy this early for England.Whether they can find ways to unlock this sort of defensive team as the tournament progresses will define the success or failure of Tuchel’s squad selection.