After a year unlike any other, the vast majority of the populace will be gathered around their televisions this afternoon to witness England take on Croatia in the first game of their Euro 2020 campaign at Wembley Stadium.
Whatever your circumstances or career, we have all been affected in some way by the coronavirus epidemic, which has ruled our lives since March of last year.
For the most part, we've been isolated, cut off from society as we know it, and forced to make enormous sacrifices in order to reach the end of this very dark, lengthy tunnel.
But, at a time when normalcy is hopefully on the horizon, football has the power to bring people together in a variety of ways, which is why this summer's rearranged European Championship has the potential to do just that, as England looks to build on their success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
While almost everyone will be watching England's opening game against Croatia, which will be a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, in the hopes that the Three Lions will get off to a good start and give themselves a platform to build on ahead of Friday's tense encounter with Scotland, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will also be watching.
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Although the former PSG manager will be rooting for his homeland, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will almost certainly be watching as many games as possible, not only to see how his own players are doing on the international stage, but also to see if he can spot any gems that he could bring to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.
Tuchel may pay great attention to England's midfield for one reason in particular, in addition to keeping a tight eye on that front. Because, according to recent reports, the German is ready to renew Chelsea's interest in West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. Last summer, the Hammers ace was extensively linked with a return to west London, with former Blues manager Frank Lampard anxious to add him to his squad.
Tuchel is thought to be interested in adding him to his midfield options at Stamford Bridge, believing that he can help his side get closer to their Premier League title ambitions next season.
With Jordan Henderson still working his way back to full fitness, Rice is almost expected to start for England in the holding midfield role. That should give Tuchel hope that he will be able to have a good look at him in substantial sections rather than just cameo appearances from the bench.
That isn't all, though. This summer, Southgate is likely to employ a 3-4-3 formation, which is similar to the Blues' use of wing-backs. Because West Ham do not utilize such system, Tuchel might take advantage of England's Euro 2020 campaign to evaluate how Rice performs in a system that depends largely on wing-backs and demands the defensive-midfielder to put the back three under as little pressure as possible.
Furthermore, and this is where Tuchel may benefit the most from watching Rice play, the West Ham midfielder is set to team up with Chelsea's Mason Mount. The pair, who are great friends off the field, would undoubtedly want nothing more than to be able to play together at club level.
The pair's affinity is undeniable, which means that if they can translate it onto the pitch, England and Southgate might be in for a great treat this summer. This season, both players have taken their individual games to the next level, establishing themselves as two of England's brightest prospects once and for all.
While Mount wants to move forward, pick up the ball in the final third, and score goals, Rice, though having the primary task of keeping the midfield in check, prefers to sneak forward as well, though not into as dangerous positions.
Tuchel, on the other hand, will be looking at things like how Rice places himself when Mount breaks forward and how they interact on the field.
The German is hoping to add three new players to his team this summer, with a new central midfielder being one of his top priorities.
Rice, like Mount, has a high potential, and Tuchel can now see how well they can work together and carry out their individual responsibilities at the highest level of the game.
Tuchel may well ask Marina Granovskaia to do the sums and launch a formal offer for Rice if he passes his audition, demonstrating that he, along with Mount, can push the Blues to the next level.
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