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It is half an hour after England have beaten New Zealand in a low-key friendly at the Raymond James Stadium. Elliot Anderson is in the corridor outside the changing room, leaning on a door frame, chatting with his Nottingham Forest team-mate, Chris Wood. Jordan Henderson saunters past.
Dan Burn is talking about taking his family to Disney World in Orlando to acclimatise for the World Cup. He doesn’t say that pushing and pulling in the penalty area is nothing compared to the queuing experience at a Florida theme park. He does say that Guardians of the Galaxy was the best ride.
Thomas Tuchel is next out. He is all smiles, too. Sure, it is easy to be all smiles when you’ve just beaten an average opponent and none of your players have been injured or sent off or talked about anything more inflammatory than what a nice time they had on holiday. It might be different when the tournament begins.
But for now, Tuchel’s demeanour and the way he is handling the lead-in to this World Cup is inspiring only confidence. He has got the players to a point they are relaxed but focused. There is a sense of everything being honed. Another friendly, with Costa Rica in Orlando, is next up on Wednesday. There is a sense of building towards the start of something. No one wants a team that peaks early.
It even happened to Gareth Southgate in the end. By the time Southgate got to Qatar four years ago, there was a haunted, watchful look in his eyes. Things were beginning to turn for the worse. The enthusiasm and excitement of Russia 2018 had begun to curdle. This feels different.
Everyone has their own ideas of the issues around Tuchel’s squad selection and it is still hard for some to accept that a player as gifted as Cole Palmer is not here but there are other sublime talents in the squad and Tuchel has fostered healthy competition between them.
Thomas Tuchel (centre) has his preparations for England’s World Cup campaign spot on so far
He’ll be pleased to see no one injured after recording a 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday
The battle between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for the No 10 shirt has not forced Bellingham into a sulk. It appears to be motivating him. England need Harry Kane at his best if they are to have a chance of winning the World Cup. They also need Bellingham at his best.
Tuchel’s the guardian of this galaxy. He is the conductor of this team and he is orchestrating everything smoothly so far. It is a talent of England managers under pressure to find problems where none exist and Tuchel is not doing that. He gives the distinct impression that he is enjoying this. The approach of the World Cup does not faze him. It excites him.
And so when he is asked about the benefits of Anthony Gordon’s move from Newcastle to Barcelona, a broad smile creases his face. ‘It is excellent,’ Tuchel says. ‘It is such a nice trip for me to watch matches. I can only encourage people to go to nice places.
‘I can fly there and watch him there in the Champions League. There will be big competition, he will enter one of the biggest clubs in the world and a totally new style of playing football. Of course, it is a culture where winning every match matters. He wanted it, he wanted a new adventure and I am happy for him and I think it will be a good experience for him.’
There is more levity when the manager is asked whether he has appointed a vice-captain to Kane. The English obsession with captaincy amuses those from outside the country and Tuchel is no different. He gives the impression he has not given it too much thought.
‘Er, I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,’ Tuchel says.
‘Does Declan know that?’ he is asked.
‘That is a good question,’ Tuchel says. ‘I was just thinking about it . Whether it is an official thing or not. But I think we had this talk when Harry was not in camp with us. Was it against Wales? Did Harry miss a game against Wales? Does anyone remember?’
Tuchel is asked about Bellingham. The tension has left that subject. The psychological games he seemed to be playing with him are over now. The manager has established his authority over the group and everyone is heading in the same direction. The dramas between them are a memory. For now, everything is positive.
Tuchel says Bellingham is in a ‘sweet spot’, fresh after coming back from injury, eager to forge onwards where some others are jaded after a long season. Tuchel is right about that. It is the same with Bukayo Saka, also back after an enforced rest.
Maybe these are pieces of good fortune to augment a manager who is rising to a challenge. Bring me lucky generals.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.
