It wasn't meant to be like this.
When England appointed Thomas Tuchel as their A-list replacement for Gareth Southgate, everybody expected the Three Lions to evolve. After all, having come close to winning silverware under their old boss, the appointment of a serial winner was exactly what many felt was required.
After just four matches, however, pressure is already mounting on the German.
Prior to last night's fixture against Senegal, the Three Lions had battled their way to unconvincing victories over Andorra, Latvia and Albania. Yet the match at the City Ground provided a sobering reality check, with England nothing short of dreadful as they crashed to a dire defeat.
England boss Thomas Tuchel is already under pressure following Tuesday night's dreadful defeat to Senegal
PA
Harry Kane's early goal looked as though it would pave the way for a comfortable night at the office.
Yet Senegal came roaring back to secure a deserved victory, with Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly all on target.
There were many bad performers for England last night.
Kane, his goal aside, was subdued. Jude Bellingham looked a shadow of the player that has often electrified LaLiga with Real Madrid, while Anthony Gordon failed to make an impact on the flank after being given a rare start.
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But no player was worse, or looked out of their depth more, than Kyle Walker.
There's no denying that Walker has been a great servant for his country, having made 96 appearances for his country across the past 14 years.
He is arguably the best right-back in Premier League history, having won six league titles - as well as two FA Cups and one Champions League - during his time at Manchester City.
But Walker is yesterday's man and, at the age of 35, shouldn't be playing at this level any more.
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England star Kyle Walker was well off the pace as the Three Lions lost to Senegal at the City Ground
GETTY
That may seem harsh but this wasn't a rare off night for the veteran. They have become increasingly more common over the past 12 months or so.
Just ask City. When Walker told Pep Guardiola that he wished to leave back in January, they didn't stand in his way.
And AC Milan, who secured a loan deal for the England star, ended up quickly realising that the player they'd brought in wasn't the one they were getting.
Walker was ran ragged last night and given the quality England have in reserve, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James, it's time for his international career to end.
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As for Tuchel, England must start looking the real deal - and fast - if there's be optimism at next summer's World Cup.
Tuchel has won the lot at club level, having claimed trophies during spells in charge of the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
There can be no denying that England are, however, heading backwards at the current moment in time.
Tuchel has insisted there's no need to panic. He described the fixture against Senegal as a 'test match', suggesting he experimented knowing that decisions could come back to bite him.
Thomas Tuchel must get England firing again, and fast, after Tuesday night's loss to Senegal at the City Ground
PA
However, with the World Cup a year away, England must start resembling a team that can go on to claim the biggest trophies on offer.
For Tuchel, that means getting his starting XI right. Walker shouldn't be anywhere near it any more. It's time to move forward, instead of looking back.
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