Thomas Tuchel insists England will go to the World Cup as underdogs but has doubled down on his belief that he doesn’t need his star players to win him the big games.
Tuchel’s England face Wales in a Wembley friendly on Thursday night with the national coach insisting his adopted public have taken to him more enthusiastically after last month’s 5-0 win in Serbia.
He insists that England’s history and FIFA ranking of four will mean nothing in the United States next summer and stressed that he will only return the exiled Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish to the squad if it benefits team unity.
‘We will arrive as underdogs at the World Cup because we haven’t won it for decades and we will play against teams who have repeatedly won it during that time,’ said Tuchel.
‘So we have to arrive as a team or we will have no chance.
‘I just watched a documentary of the New England Patriots and saw a quote that said: “We don’t collect the most talented players, we build a team”.
Thomas Tuchel insists England will go to the World Cup as underdogs but has doubled down on his belief that he doesn’t need his star players to win him the big games
The England boss stressed that he will only return the exiled Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish to the squad if it benefits team unity, saying he wants to ‘build a team’
‘I cannot agree more, so that’s what we’re trying to do. Teams win trophies, no-one else.
‘We collect the guys who have the glue and cohesion to be the best team. Because we need to arrive as the best team.’
Tuchel will field a strong team on Thursday night against Craig Bellamy’s Welsh side. He will, however, be without captain Harry Kane, who has a foot injury.
Pressed on his statement that England will not be a favourite next summer, Tuchel was asked if some humility could help his players.
‘Yes I think it helps us if we have our role clear once we arrive,’ he added.
‘I don’t see why we should burden ourselves that we are the big favourites. If we don’t win it, it’s a disaster – why would we?
‘Because of history, because of the climate, because of the circumstances. When did we last win it? Let’s go step by step and see if it just buys into the other step.
‘We build a team that is ready to go step by step and play as a team and no-one wants hopefully to play against us.
He insists that England’s FIFA ranking of four will mean nothing at the World Cup next summer
‘If you’ve never won Wimbledon you are maybe one of the favourites but you are not the favourite.
‘There is Brazil, there is Argentina, Spain, France and they just did it recently.
‘Once we qualify we will arrive with a clear target to try to win but I think there is a way to do it and there is a way people are not upset if it doesn’t happen.
‘I felt the reaction from our last camp and I felt the reaction when I go to restaurants or I sit in a cab.
‘Just speaking to people I felt a different reaction to this last match against Serbia and I believe it is not just because of the result but because of the way we played.
‘Before that, it was: “Ok bring it home and you will make it happen and by the way my team is whatever and please nominate this player and you cannot play without this player”.
‘After the last camp it was like: “Ah that was amazing to watch. We cannot wait”.
‘It was much more excitement and if we can generate this and we get it going against Wales and keep it going through our camps I think we will be well prepared.’
