Thomas Tuchel has underlined his plan to replicate the direct football of the Premier League at this summer’s World Cup.
The England manager has been preaching the value of set pieces to his squad ever since he took over from Gareth Southgate as he firmly believes the heat and packed schedule of an American tournament will not suit teams trying to play flowing football.
And though he hopes his team will also carry a threat in open play, he has doubled down on his set-piece theory after seeing a trend towards longer passing and corner routines develop in the Premier League this season.
‘We are in a very physical era of the game in the Premier League and an era where set pieces, free kicks, corners and throw-ins are very highly rated,’ said Tuchel.
‘That’s just the reality of it. It is part of the match in the Premier League maybe more than in other leagues.
‘It is not the main part of our approach. But it has to be a part of it, especially in knockout football.
Thomas Tuchel is keen to take advantage of his Premier League stars’ skillset amid the North American heat and packed schedule
‘We need to come up with a good plan how to defend and how to attack set plays and make it an advantage.’
Tuchel will have set piece specialists such as Declan Rice, Dan Burn and Harry Maguire in his squad at various points as England play friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday and next Tuesday. The England coach has announced a 35-man ‘split squad’ with some players in camp this week and others joining on Friday. In the summer, Rice and Chelsea’s Reece James will be specialist corner takers while Burn will certainly be in the World Cup party.
‘In these last games before the World Cup this has to be in our thoughts,’ added Tuchel.
‘How to change matches, how to influence matches, how to open up a match. It’s just the way it is.’
