Thomas Tuchel says the “competition is on” to earn a place in England’s World Cup squad and insists the door will always be open for players with top quality and character to return.
The head coach made radical selection calls for this camp, placing the collective above individuals and introducing the possibility of star names not going to next summer’s World Cup by overlooking Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden despite both attackers being fit. Tuchel’s stated aim is to build the best team, not collect the best talents, and his hand was strengthened by England excelling without Bellingham, Foden and the injured Cole Palmer in their 3-0 friendly win over Wales on Thursday.
The German’s rationale is clear: he loved the spirit during last month’s camp and has seen no reason to make sweeping changes. At the same time, though, Tuchel is not ruling out the possibility of those who missed out this time returning next month for qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
“At the moment, it is only about the players who are in camp,” he said. “The competition is on. They deserve it also. And I am still absolutely convinced the guys who were in Serbia and against Andorra last camp deserve to be in this camp. This is where the focus has to be. They deserve the respect and they put out another great performance.
“The door is always open for anyone to jump in. [Against Wales] we had four changes from the match in Serbia. We were forced to do four changes but it was seamless and everyone who started played with the same energy. We only had one and a half days to prepare so I am happy with the camp. Happy that we can prove another point. Next camp is the next nomination.”
It was put to Tuchel that his logic in rewarding those who are performing for him now will make it hard for outcasts to earn recalls. “Let’s play a second game and then we decide,” he replied. “The nomination comes and then there is always an open door for top quality, top characters. We are in October now so we go step by step.”
Tuchel was asked whether he could imagine putting Bellingham, Foden and Palmer on the bench at the World Cup. “You think too much,” he said. “You imagine too much. I am sorry but I don’t follow that mindset. With all of this I would say: ‘Let’s cross the river when we are at the river.’ It does not help anyone if we think in bubbles about what can happen and about what cannot happen.”
Declan Rice, the captain against Wales, believes the big names will return. “Every time you play for England, you want to grab the shirt, you want to grab your chance,” the midfielder said. “But we do miss Jude, for sure. We miss Phil, we miss Cole, we miss loads of players for reasons that the manager’s obviously said.
“We are obviously an unreal team, and they’re in the team as well. Let’s not get away from that. What they’ve done in an England shirt is incredible. We’re looking forward to having them back next camp hopefully.”
England would secure qualification if they beat Latvia in Riga on Tuesday and Serbia do not take maximum points against Albania on Saturday and Andorra on Tuesday. Harry Kane believes he will be fit to return from a minor foot injury and Ollie Watkins is confident he will be ready despite being forced off after colliding with a post against Wales.
Tuchel sought to play down his comments about England’s fans not being loud enough during the Wales game. The Football Association has sometimes taken the team round the country but Tuchel will not oppose Wembley hosting warm-up friendlies in March. “Don’t make a big thing out of it,” he said. “I am pretty sure we will play here. No problem.”
