Thomas Tuchel insisted he had taken valuable learnings from England’s stodgy final camp before the World Cup – but claimed the attackers given chances in Harry Kane’s absence again needed to do more.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were both handed opportunities to flourish in forward roles during Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat by Japan but England mustered little by way of goal threat.
Tuchel said they had made sure to offer palmer licence in his favoured No 10 position but the Chelsea man came off just before the hour alongside Foden.
‘I am not the biggest fan now to talk about individuals but of course if we put offensive players on the pitch we demand offensive actions,’ Tuchel said after being specifically asked about the pair.
‘We demand creativity, we demand dribbling, shots, assists, and we clearly didn’t have enough. We could not create, they made it difficult for us in the half spaces.
‘It was difficult for both of them but it was clear they will get their chances [at club level]. I need to see them.’
Phil Foden was not at his best with Harry Kane (right) on the sidelines after an injury in training
Cole Palmer was another who failed to hit the heights as England struggle to create chances
Tuchel was adamant that he had ‘more clarity’ on who would be named in the 26-man squad for the summer, although is concerned about the number of injuries that have plagued England over the past week.
Kane pulled up with an injury concern 15 minutes into Monday’s training session. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham didn’t feature across Tuesday’s defeat and the 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
Tuchel admitted that it would be ‘scary’ to watch Premier League matches over the next two months and seemed to suggest the physicality of the division is hampering the Three Lions.
‘Our players are heavily invested in club football, in European football and are in the physically toughest league there is,’ Tuchel added.
‘Harry dropped out, we lost him as a player and personality. We’ve won matches without Harry but it’s easier with Harry. We lost Rice, John Stones – the core of the group. It affected us and that is normal. They carry the momentum on their shoulders.’
