England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that the ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding Manchester City is a frequent topic of conversation among his players. With the club facing charges for alleged financial regulation breaches, Tuchel noted that members of the squad representing the reigning champions are naturally anxious about their futures. “It is of course a topic and we speak about it at dinner and at a table of eight or 12 people.
Speaking ahead of the Nations League fixture against Croatia, Tuchel explained that the situation has become a constant point of discussion during team meals. While he noted that he does not personally witness the matter interfering with training sessions or team chemistry, he admitted that it would be shortsighted to ignore the pressure the players are under. The manager stated that he would remain prepared to select City players for the national team even if the club were to face relegation. “If I say now it’s not then I can just speak for myself, which would be totally narrow-minded,” Tuchel said. “I think it is a distraction.
Tuchel highlighted the human element of the situation, noting that the players involved are young and ambitious, yet currently find themselves in a position of uncertainty regarding the club they represent. He confirmed that they frequently receive messages and feedback regarding the case, which has made it a subject of daily dialogue within the England camp. City, for their part, have maintained their innocence and formally announced an appeal against the legal verdict. I know the Man City players get a lot of messages and phone calls and feedback about it. I think that would be a very human reaction if you don’t know what’s going on for the club that you signed. I don’t see it when I see them in my meetings.
The England squad for this international break includes three players from the club: Elliot Anderson, Marc Guéhi, and Nico O’Reilly, though O’Reilly has since withdrawn due to injury. Despite recent struggles for some of these individuals—including a costly error by Guéhi against Spain and a lackluster outing for Anderson against the Czech Republic—Tuchel maintained that both players remain in contention for the upcoming match.
Tactical decisions dominate the remainder of Tuchel’s preparations as England looks to build on their current second-place standing in Group A3. Jordan Pickford is set to return as the starting goalkeeper, taking over from James Trafford. Meanwhile, the right-back position remains a tactical dilemma; Tuchel is weighing whether to reintroduce Jarell Quansah or stick with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who delivered an impressive performance in Prague.
Regarding Alexander-Arnold, who turns 28 next week, Tuchel emphasized that the defender is currently being challenged to adapt to new tactical ideas, particularly in his partnership with Bukayo Saka. The manager explained that he is encouraging the Real Madrid defender to push beyond his comfort zone to better facilitate dynamic movement on the pitch. Tuchel noted that Alexander-Arnold is a unique talent who is not a traditional runner but is actively working to integrate into the team’s evolved philosophy.
Tuchel also expressed satisfaction with Bukayo Saka’s current fitness and form. Having struggled with injury throughout the previous World Cup cycle, the Arsenal winger has returned to a consistent level of influence. According to the head coach, Saka appears to be playing pain-free, showing increased involvement and attacking danger compared to the tail end of last season, with the expectation that even higher levels of performance remain ahead for the winger.
