- England were beaten 3-2 by world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday in the first of four Nations League matches in the extended international window
- Thomas Tuchel said he would not rotate players or manage their minutes, calling that approach “madness”
- England will visit the Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Tuesday, with Tuchel keen for Jude Bellingham to keep playing with “a bit of rage”
Tuchel Refuses To Ease England’s Workload
Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that neither England’s players nor their clubs should be able to decide which international fixtures they take part in during the current break.
England are scheduled to play four Nations League matches in an extended international window. They began that run on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat by World Cup champions Spain at Wembley.
The demanding schedule has led to calls for certain players to be given rest, particularly those whose summer breaks were shortened because of the World Cup. Tuchel, however, rejected the idea that he should tailor England selections around club concerns.
Asked whether any club managers had contacted him, Tuchel told reporters: “I don’t take calls from Premier League managers. I never called any national team coach (when he was in club football).
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But the England manager 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒 to rotate ahead of Czechia.
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“I cannot manage (the minutes of) the players. It’s just impossible. Why would I do this and start giving the players the impression that it’s OK to take a step back or share a half or to rest one match? I would never. It’s madness.
“We want to win the next match… An ideal scenario would be to go again and go again and go again. With six or seven players minimum that start again – to put the responsibility on them and for them to feel the trust.”
England’s Nations League Schedule
After the loss to Spain, England’s next assignment is away to the Czech Republic on Tuesday at the Fortuna Arena in Prague. Tuchel’s side will then travel to Croatia on Saturday before meeting the Czechs again at home on October 6th.
No “Economic Style” In Prague
Tuchel said England would approach Tuesday’s match against the Czech Republic with ambition rather than caution.
He added: “We need to be proactive.
“There is no room for managing (the players) or an economic style. It’s how the team want to play, how we want to play, so let’s go.”
Bellingham’s Fire Draws Tuchel’s Backing
Jude Bellingham was heavily involved during England’s defeat to Spain, with Tuchel urging the Real Madrid midfielder to embrace his combative edge. Bellingham had a heated exchange with Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, described as his club team-mate, after Cucurella won a challenge against him.
Bellingham then responded by creating Anthony Gordon’s goal for England.
Although Tuchel had previously criticised Bellingham for his volatile personality on the pitch, the England manager now wants the 23-year-old to continue playing with that intensity.
“He likes that. He gets better if that happens,” Tuchel said.
“It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going.”
When Bellingham’s row with Cucurella was mentioned, Tuchel said: “I think he doesn’t know any team-mates when he is in the national team.
“He wants to win. He doesn’t know any team-mates. He is still friends with them, but not for the 90 minutes.
“It’s the only style he can play, that’s just his game.”
Managing Risk Around Bellingham
Tuchel is eager to start Bellingham as England’s Nations League campaign continues in Czechia on Tuesday, but he also acknowledged the need to avoid exposing him to unnecessary risk during a congested campaign with Real Madrid.
“I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn’t done it this season in this tight period,” he said.
“We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude in any risk. But in terms of style, it’s just how he plays.”
