Thomas Tuchel has called on the England squad to rediscover their joy for the game ahead of their friendly against Senegal. Following a lackluster 1-0 victory over Andorra in a World Cup qualifier, the England manager has urged his players to translate the smiles he sees in training onto the pitch.
Tuchel, who took over as England head coach in January, wants his team to exhibit more freedom and heed instructions, encouraging them to "just go for it" against Senegal. He believes the team needs to improve their connections, support, and interactions within the group. Despite the underwhelming performance against Andorra, Tuchel is confident that England can compete with top teams like Spain, Portugal, and France at next summer's World Cup. He stated that the team will rise to the occasion when it truly matters, emphasizing that "everyone is beatable" and there is no need to feel inferior.
Tuchel acknowledged the challenge of playing against a team like Spain, highlighting their natural self-confidence on the ball and their ability to make opponents suffer. However, he asserted that England possesses the quality, ability, and courage to compete at that level. He referenced the recent Nations League final where Spain defeated Portugal, emphasizing that England has what it takes to compete for such titles.
The England manager was critical of his team's "lack of urgency" after the Andorra match, stressing the importance of playing seriously in World Cup qualifiers. While he refrained from naming individual players, he made it clear that the team as a whole did not meet the required standards.
Looking ahead to the friendly against Senegal, Tuchel is expected to make several changes to the starting lineup. Bukayo Saka is set to make his first start under Tuchel, having recovered from a muscle strain that kept him out of previous matches. Other potential changes include Dean Henderson or James Trafford getting a chance in goal, Myles Lewis-Skelly coming into the defense, and Declan Rice starting in midfield.
Tuchel also addressed the demanding schedule faced by many players, with the upcoming Club World Cup adding to the workload. He acknowledged that while the tournament will be a good experience for the players involved, it could give teams like Liverpool and Arsenal, who are not participating, a significant advantage next season due to the reduced rest time for players involved in the Club World Cup. He emphasized that while players are always eager to play, they need proper rest somewhere in the calendar, which they hardly get.
Despite the concerns about player fatigue, Tuchel stated that his England squad members are hungry to play and not looking to save themselves for the Club World Cup. He wants them to approach the game against Senegal with a smile and express themselves on the pitch.
