lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandThomas Tuchel speaks to the press
Thomas Tuchel speaks to the press
Thomas Tuchel says England’s Manchester City players are worried about their club’s guilty verdict for breaking Premier League financial rules, but would still consider selecting them even if City get relegated.
City face an uncertain future after being found guilty of severe financial breaches by an independent panel, although have appealed against the decision, claiming they have “irrefutable evidence” of their innocence.
The situation has been developing throughout the international window where City players Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly have been part of the England squad.
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England boss Thomas Tuchel says he would not rule out selecting Manchester City players if the club was relegated, insisting he will always pick the best squad regardless of whether players are competing in the top flight.
O’Reilly has since gone home injured, but Tuchel says it is natural for City’s players to have concern over the club’s plight.
The German said ahead of Saturday’s Nations League clash with Croatia: “Are they worried or like are they concerned?
“I think that would be a very human reaction if you don’t know what’s going on for the club that you signed.
“They’re still young. They’re ambitious. They’re told they are totally innocent and don’t know what’s going on.
“So yeah, I think it is a subject.
Marc Guehi is among the Manchester City players in the England squad
Marc Guehi is among the Manchester City players in the England squad (Bradley Collyer/PA)
“If it’s a distraction, I don’t know. It’s the honest answer, but it is of course a topic and we speak about it at dinner and at a table of eight or 12 people.
“Of course, we speak about it at breakfast. And I know that the Man City players get a lot, a lot of messages and phone calls and feedback about it.
“I am again not sure if it’s a distraction. I don’t see it when I when I see them in my meetings.
“I don’t see it how they behave with other team-mates, and I don’t see it in training being a distraction. But it’s of course a topic. Why? How can’t it be a topic?”
Tuchel says he would still consider picking City’s players even if a possible punishment could see the club playing outside the Premier League.
“There’s always a possibility,” he said. “I think I will always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament, and I will never rule out that they don’t play in the top flight in their country.
“So you need to look at this case by case.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold could again line up against Croatia
Trent Alexander-Arnold could again line up against Croatia (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Tuchel is preparing for his side’s behind-closed-doors with Croatia in Rijeka, where he must decide whether to stick with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
The Real Madrid defender has never truly been a regular for England and Tuchel agreed that he could be approaching a ‘now or never’ situation.
“Good question. Maybe, maybe a little bit. You always have the chance, I would say,” he said.
“Once you are in camp it’s a big opportunity if other players are not here. You can impress and mark your territory and show his true capacity that no one’s doubting.
“That’s maybe the challenge for Trent: to buy a little bit into a new idea and a bit out of his comfort zone. But he’s trying and it’s never too late to prove a point.”
Tuchel expects big things from Bukayo Saka
Tuchel expects big things from Bukayo Saka (Mike Egerton/PA)
Tuchel also feels there is more to come from Bukayo Saka in an England shirt after a difficult World Cup which saw him battle an Achilles injury but ended in him scoring a hat-trick in the third/fourth play-off.
“I felt him more involved, and felt he was more dangerous at the start of the season – and still I think there is some level still to come when he plays for England,” he said.
“He knows it but he feels good, he feels the trust, he knows the position, he is confident enough, he is experienced enough to unlock the next level for him.
“He knows it, we know it and he has my full trust and support. And there is a big chance he starts again tomorrow. If he’s available we go again.”