Thomas Tuchel has revealed his strategy of keeping his England players on their toes by waiting until the last minute to announce his starting line-up. Unlike his predecessor Gareth Southgate, who would inform the squad of the starting XI the day before a match, Tuchel prefers to keep his cards close to his chest until the morning of the game, as he did before Friday’s clash with Albania.
The new Three Lions boss believes that while some tactics should remain secret to outsmart opponents, most players can guess if they’re playing based on the final training session.
Speaking to the BBC, Tuchel explained: “I don’t know another way because sometimes I need the last night also to get my ideas in the right order. Sometimes I just simply don’t know it the day before. This is just a common procedure for me to give it either in the morning or even in the afternoon of an evening match.
“Listen, I think that most of the players know when they see the last training. I think most of the players know. Anyway, this kind of ‘ooh, we keep it secret’. I mean, honestly, Thiago Silva knew at Chelsea that he’s playing all the time, Antonio Rudiger knew he’s playing, Jorginho knew that he was playing.”
Tuchel then dropped a clear hint that Harry Kane is among those can be sure of being one of the first names on the teamsheet under his management, saying: “I don’t think that Harry Kane is worried about his place in the starting line-up tomorrow. I’m not so sure.”
Tuchel concluded by insisting that some players are guaranteed a spot when fit, saying: “I think some players know if they are fit, they’re picked and they will play, and some players don’t. This is normal because we also have the chance to take last decisions and this will stay like that.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk