Could Declan Rice's set-piece expertise be a World Cup game-changer for England head coach Thomas Tuchel? Thomas Tuchel's attention to detail and pragmatic approach will shape England's strategy at this summer's World Cup - but could it be set-piece expertise that makes the difference between success and failure?

Former England goalkeeper and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Paul Robinson is convinced that the use of set-plays that have become a major talking point in this season's Premier League, with leaders Arsenal the prime exponents, can play a major part in ending a barren run for the men's team stretching back to 1966's World Cup.

In Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, as well as Chelsea captain Reece James, Tuchel has three almost certain starters with an ability to deliver deadly set-pieces. Robinson told BBC Sport: "I genuinely think set-pieces could help England win the World Cup. There are no pictures on the World Cup trophy. It doesn't matter how you win. It's whether you win or not.

"We will be talking fine margins at the World Cup. In the latter stages especially, games could be decided by the odd goal, a single incident, a moment. If you have someone who can throw a ball into the box from the halfway line or deliver a perfect, dangerous ball at a set-piece, use them.".

Robinson says head coach Tuchel has these players at his disposal - and will not be afraid to use those tools if it means achieving what he was appointed to do, namely win the World Cup. "It has become so apparent in the Premier League, not just used by so-called lesser teams," said Robinson. "Look at the league leaders. Arsenal are famed for using it. Who is delivering those deadly corners and set-pieces for them? Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka."

"You then look at the aerial quality England possess, the ability and quality they have in those situations, and I'm not sure other countries will be prepared for it. It will also help them in a defensive sense because England's defenders will be used to this sort of set-piece stuff, the physical and aerial stuff, having experienced it all season in the Premier League.

Other teams will have players at the World Cup who have played in the Premier League, but how will they cope as a team? The use of set-pieces has become one of the main narratives in this campaign, with Arsenal using them as a match-winning strategy.

Out of 845 goals scored in the Premier League this season, 230 have been from set-pieces, not including penalties - a total of 27%. Leeds United and Tottenham have the highest percentage of goals from set-pieces at 35%, from 37 and 40 goals respectively. Arsenal have a much higher goal tally at 61, with 21 of their goals (34%) coming from set-pieces.

And notably, of Rice's nine assists in all competitions this season, six have come from set-pieces, while James has six assists, including five from set-pieces. This is the evidence Robinson believes can be England's X-factor at the World Cup, irrespective of those "purists" who may sniff at such an approach.

England have the height and power of defenders such as Dan Burn and Harry Maguire. They can be effective at either end of the pitch. Harry Kane and the recalled Dominic Calvert-Lewin also provide an aerial threat in attack - the sort of potent force Robinson believes Tuchel will aim to benefit from.

He said: "England want to win and how they do it is not going to come under scrutiny. I think every England fan will agree you just want to finally get it over the line, regardless of how you do. I am not advocating some major change of style in what Tuchel uses. I just believe England have huge strengths when it comes to set-pieces. I am saying integrate that with the quality they have, and the tactical wisdom Tuchel has, because I genuinely believe it could be something that helps England win the World Cup."

Robinson believes Tuchel is realistic and practical enough to recognise, based on the evidence he has witnessed in the Premier League, the power set-pieces can offer England.

"Tuchel watches a lot of Premier League football," he said. "He will be well aware of trends and how things are going. He is ruthless. He will do things his way. He won't care who he upsets along the way. Any criticism will not affect him in any way, shape or form if he believes it will win him games.

"Arsenal are the arch exponents at set-pieces. They are top of the Premier League, chasing the Champions League and are statistically the best team in the country." Robinson believes "football snobbery" is behind some of the reluctance to embrace set-pieces as a potential game-changer.

He said: "I think there has been this snobbery about set-pieces and teams that use them, but I think this year that's all being pushed aside because we are talking about those fine margins again. This can especially apply at a major tournament. Everyone's looking for that edge and, if set-pieces give you that edge - if you've got somebody who can put a corner under the crossbar or send a brilliant delivery into dangerous areas - why not do that?

"It's been proved this season England have the players to do it. This could be that fine margin, the moment that wins a game. There was this football snobbery because a team didn't put 64 passes together before scoring a goal.

"All of a sudden Arsenal and other teams are doing it and you've got managers like Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis, who were labelled long-ball merchants or dinosaurs, seeing teams use the tactics they employed. A manager once said to me and the group of players when he came to the club, 'if you want to score a goal in the 93rd minute, where are you going to put the ball?' Somebody said 'in the box, boss', and he said 'well, we'll do it in the first minute if we get the chance'.

"I firmly believe Tuchel will see what sort of a danger he can use from set-pieces and will use it." One question will be asked – will foreign referees at a World Cup be as tolerant of the physical exchanges in the penalty area that often go unpunished in the Premier League?

Robinson explains: "English referees are having a lot of problems with the movement before the ball is delivered. They will stop the game and talk to the players but, if there is no infringement once the ball is kicked, they won't have a problem. Some foreign referees may look at things differently, possibly, but you will then get others who let it go.

"I just think, looking at the players they have and how good they are at set-pieces, England have an advantage they can't pass up. And from what we have seen from Thomas Tuchel, he is the sort of ruthless operator at this level who will apply every advantage he can if it means England winning games and winning the World Cup."