TUCHEL WARNS PREMIER LEAGUE BOSSES
Thomas Tuchel has made it clear to Premier League managers that he will not hold back their star players from England duty, insisting that national team priorities must be respected. The Three Lions face Latvia at Wembley on Monday night, just three days after Tuchel’s first match in charge against Albania, and while some rotation is expected, the German coach is determined to use every international break to prepare for next summer’s World Cup.
With only six international windows remaining before the tournament, Tuchel is unwilling to compromise, even with clubs entering the decisive stage of their domestic seasons. He acknowledged the club vs country debate, which had largely settled under Gareth Southgate but resurfaced under Lee Carsley’s brief tenure, yet he remains firm in his approach. “I know that this window, this camp, is where the clubs play a very crucial time of the season,” Tuchel said. “They play for championships, they play for quarter-finals in the Champions League. We are very well aware of it, but we have also our own goals, we have our own targets. The players are keen to play and it has to be like this.”
The England boss reflected on his own experience at club level, explaining that he never interfered with national team selections when managing Chelsea, PSG, or Bayern Munich. “I always accepted it as a club manager. I never got involved in lineups, I never pushed any national coach because I was hoping that my players get picked. I was also hoping that they are proud to play,” he said. “Of course, you’re never happy if something happens. No one can predict that there is no accident, but we have a World Cup qualifier and we’ll take responsible decisions.”
Declan Rice, one of England’s most reliable performers, is a key figure in Tuchel’s plans. The 26-year-old has been almost ever-present for the national team, starting all but one of England’s last 30 competitive games before missing November’s internationals due to injury. His importance is equally evident at club level, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta showing just how indispensable he is by selecting him for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against PSV Eindhoven, despite holding a six-goal advantage from the first leg.
Tuchel pointed to that decision as justification for his own stance on player selection. “After a 7-1 first leg and Declan Rice played the next match with Arsenal, I didn’t have the feeling that they think so much about us,” he said. “I don’t think we have to break our heads about this. I take care of the players. We take care of the schedule, but it would be the wrong signal to tell players now, ‘Hey, you have tough matches coming up, so I rest you now.’”
Tuchel’s firm approach is likely to put him at odds with some Premier League managers as the season enters its defining weeks. Clubs battling for domestic and European titles may be wary of their players being overworked or risking injury, but Tuchel has made it clear that England’s preparations for the World Cup take priority. With limited time to build his squad, the new England boss is determined to make every fixture count, regardless of any club concerns.