“Ivan deserves to be with us” | Thomas Tuchel explains key decisions behind England squad selection

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England boss Thomas Tuchel spoke to the media to discuss his squad selection for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 7 and friendly with Senegal on June 10.

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00:00 Intro
00:29 Ivan Toney
02:05 26 players for both games?
04:00 Ben White
05:30 Marc Guéhi
06:25 Trevoh Chalobah
10:30 Trent Alexander-Arnold
12:12 Conor Gallagher
13:30 Harry Maguire
14:50 Myles Lewis-Skelly
15:50 Adam Wharton

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joined by Thomas Tukul. Uh we shortly throw out to the floor and we’ll make it a maximum of two questions per person and if we do have time we’ll come back round at the end. We’ll start as ever with Rob Dorset, Sky Sports News. Hey Thomas, I’ll let you I’ll let you get your water sorted out first. Thank you so much. How are you? Well, very well, thank you. Good man. Let’s go. You’ve um you’ve surprised a few of us again with your with your selections and interested us an awful lot. Did I? Yeah. Um, I want to ask you first about Ivan Tony, who for us is probably the biggest headline inclusion and Dominic Saleni not being in the squad. Yeah. What are your thoughts? Well, first of all, Ivan deserves to be with us, I think, and I’m convinced because he scored over 20 goal for Ali Ali this season. Um, he won a major title with the Asian Champions League, had big involvement in the team, um, in goals and assists and huge contribution. I told you last time uh I think that I will try to put a visit in my schedule and visit him in in in Saudi which uh I didn’t make. So I thought why not to bring him over and let him travel to us. It’s a it’s a good occasion now to to also test new players, see new players, meet Ivan in person, see him in in the environment. It’s um we decided to bring to nominate three number nines, three strikers with Harry and with Ollie Watkins and I had a I had a a call with Dom Soleni of course who deserve to be with us who won a major title, a major trophy now with Tottenham and he was a big player for them, but he was in camp already. I have a clear picture what what Dom can bring to this group and what he did and and now is still the moment to see new players, get get um get um get a feeling for them and see them within the group and because Ollie and Ivan were both not with us. That’s basically the decision. Thank you. Um it’s a 26-man squad you’ve named and and obviously the the Club World Cup which you’ve won yourself starts four days after Yeah. you’re friendly with Sagal. Will you have all 26 players here for both games or do you plan to be a little bit flexible for the players that have have got big commitments coming up with their So to cut it short, yes, we will start the camp with 26 and finish the camp with the same 26. That’s the decision in the end. Me myself, I could I was an advocate for and I could see the reasons for the players who go to club world cup to maybe leave a bit earlier to maybe change the squad. We had even discussions if we if we nominate the squad without club world cup players. So the discussion was very open in all directions. But very very quickly um we we we understood that it’s also important for us. It’s it’s one of five camps. It’s only one year to go until the World Cup. So why to send players away? We want to cherish and and worship every day that we have together. And what signal would it send to the group to to to send players away? And uh I can understand the arguments especially of the clubs who would love to see their players maybe get arrested. But we have I think strong and strongest arguments for ourselves and and for our goals that we want to reach. And like I said, we are building a a group. We are building we are um building a togetherness. We want to develop a camaraderie. And this is only possible if we if we take if we take every day seriously and uh that’s why we keep the group together. The players know it, the the clubs know it and this is our decision. Carrie Brown next and we will manage the the we will try to manage then the minutes of the players of course regarding who will play the first match, second match and will go to a club world cup. Carrie Thomas uh there was some belief that Ben White might come into this squad. Are there situations off the field that mean he has a future in England, but he’s just not in this camp? Yes. And he made very strong progress and was uh involved in the in the latest matches of Arsenal which I was very delighted to see and we had a talk and we decided that this uh at the moment not the moment because he is uh um like he he will become a father very soon. So and and the baby is due right uh in the in the exact date of the camp. So um it’s his first child and we wish him and his wife all the best for that. And we thought if he comes back he should come back with a clear mind and a free mind and and full focus on football which is now not the case. So we decided together that this is not the camp for him to come back. Um it is also he played lately but he I think he can still a second reason is that he can still like 10 15 maybe 20% increase in the physical ability. So giving all circumstances we decided that he that he is not with us. The follow-up question is he is now ready and available and you’re ready to select him for in Yes% for the next camp. Yeah 100%. He was ready. He was ready to be selected now. But the the two reason the main reason is because of family because of um hopefully nice family reasons is uh that we don’t pick him. Alex. Hi Thomas. Trevor Chalabar in for the first time a player you know well from Chelsea. Can you tell us the reasons for that and also no Mark Gahhee? Was that fitness or or selection? Um no no Mark was normally meant to be with us of course because why not? He had a he’s the captain of Palace and they had a a huge a huge title here in in in Wembley in the FA Cup. Huge win and he is a big part of this success story. Um and he had a a good period after camp even. Um yeah, but he got injured in in the in the FA Cup final and it’s a facial injury and the specialist that the the eye is involved and the spare the eye specialist told us uh to not take the risk. This was the advice and we followed the advice. Um that was the reason why he’s not with us. Um what was the other Trevor? Well, he deserves it. It’s as easy as that I think. Um he played a fantastic second half of the season with Chelsea. He is uh very very consistent on a on a very high level especially after after our first camp in the last months and that’s why we we tried to give it a go. And just on the club world cup, have you had any managers reach out with to you specifically and asked you to leave their their players out? No, I never did this as a as a as a club manager because I always respected the the the international duties and and also the wish of the players to represent their country the country. It’s an honor and and the privilege. So I always respected that and I I had the feeling everyone respects now our our decisions. The clubs reach of course out to the federation to to understand where in which direction we are going and what we’re planning. But everyone knows and accepts that it’s our our choice and everything good. Okay. Any questions outside our three broadcasters here? Yeah. James Ollie at the end there. Hi Thomas. Um it’s always a balancing act club versus country. It’s always a conversation with England. I’m sure a lot of other national teams. How have you found being on the other side of those conversations as an international manager? uh the more experience I got, the the the the more calm I was with these with these periods and the more experienced, the more international my teams were, the more I understood how much it means to players, especially also players from from South America, uh who are always eager and keen to play for their country. And I I tell you very openly, very honest, our players are very proud to come to camp. Even if it’s like yeah an extra travel arrangement, it’s it’s extra games in in in the schedule. And the June window is never an easy window. The March window is never an easy window for the players who are involved in in international in in in the European competitions, Champions League, Europa League and and uh about winning domestic titles. The tune window is never easy because some players had already a little bit of holiday, some like the Chelsea guys play on Wednesday or major final. So, everyone is is also keen to have some some some free days and then comes the nomination. But overall, everyone is excited and when I speak to players, they are more than happy to come. They want to come. They are like they are desperate to come and that’s the that’s the feeling that that we want. I think they they also know that it’s kind of new. It’s our second camp together, so we feel the excitement and and everyone is is proud to come and this has to be like that. And just on the Club World Cup, it’s obviously a competition you you’ve won, but it was a week in February then. It’s now four weeks in the summer. Yeah. I mean, there is a view that it’s a it’s a tournament sort of too far for the players. I I wonder what your view was on it. Yeah, it’s a massive tournament. A massive tournament, a new one, of course, a lot of traveling and and it’s it’s uh the tournament is very long. Um yeah but uh that’s that’s the calendar nowadays. I think once the players are there I think uh the players will love the challenge. The players will embrace the challenge to to play against uh um teams they have maybe never played before. So there are like some some big matches coming. um the club world cup in in February that I played in was very very different and uh maybe it will change the perception now with this World Cup tournament every every four years. So so let’s see um it’s not worth complaining. That’s the it’s it’s the schedule and we have to find the best solutions within the schedule for the players. That’s why I said like and because I was in club football, we will take care of the minutes of the players if we can and and and manage from there. But being the time together, spending it together was very important for us. Okay, we can allow just a question at the back. And then we’ll allow Robin Carries to come if you want. Hi, Tom. Hi. Hi, Tom. It’s just on uh Trent. Your predecessor viewed him as a midfielder, but you’ve listed him as a defender. I just wanted to know your thoughts on Trent’s qualities and perhaps do you agree with the feeling that in perhaps a game with lots of transitions that he’s not really suited to that midfield position, but perhaps if you play my right back, you can you can get the best out of him. Uh hopefully we get the best out of him. Well, I think there cannot be any doubt about his talent. I think he’s a pretty special player and a kind of a unique player. I would say he is a right fullback. That’s his position. uh the way he plays a right fullback is maybe very unorthodox because he has this special talent, a special vibe around his game. So, it’s maybe also on us to adapt to him and uh as as much it is on him to adapt to us. I’m very happy that he’s ready to be picked. He’s he’s fit. Um, and he was very happy to come and and wanted absolutely to come and uh to get to know me in person and get to know my my stuff and and be around the other players. So, we are excited that we have this chance last time he was injured. He won another major trophy. He is uh he was hugely involved in in this uh in this unbelievable campaign for for for his uh for his home club for Liverpool which is massive. So, um, he is he is a winner and, uh, we are very positive about it. So, I’m I’m happy that he’s back and, uh, and I’m looking forward to it. Okay, Rob, he’s come back on two months. Thomas, can I ask you about your midfield selections a little bit, please? Um, Connor Gallagher back in for your first chance to look at him. I know he’s been playing very well for Atletico Madrid, but a little surprise from some that Adam Warton isn’t in there. He’s been playing very well for Palace, especially when you saw him play so well for Palace here when they won the And we made Adam train with us um in the last camp when he was with under 21s, but he trained with us and was very very good, we know. So at the moment there’s a also a little injury problem like a concussion protocol going on from from still from the final uh in the FA Cup and um together with Tino Lee Romento, Cheryl Kwanza, Elliot Anderson, Liam Depp like all names that could be yeah play a role for us but the major tournament comes also up for the under21s and the intention is that they play a big part in this tournament and I think it’s important I I I like it a lot that they have a chance to be leaders in this group to be players that that Lee hopefully relies on and will rely on and and uh we will monitor this very very closely but uh for these players we decided or the intention is that they that they take their responsibility for the under 21s briefly thank you for that briefly about the about the center back positions as well um Chalabar comes back in Dan Burn keeps his place yes no Harry Magguire who wasn’t available to you first time round I think because of injury yeah Is is is he not in your thoughts? He is of He’s always in my thoughts because he he covers uh of course the the the position as a central defender but also as a number nine as you as you know. So he is always in our thoughts. He’s always a threat from set pieces. He’s a big personality and uh he steps up also in in in difficult times as you can see in his club. He’s always in our thoughts at the moment. S3 keeps his place. Stanburn as a left foot keeps his place. Mark is uh more happy to play on the on the left side but had an injury. So we decided for a left footer with Levi Cville uh to get this and and we see at the very moment Trevor a little bit ahead of of of uh of Harry. I think that I have a very clear picture of what Harry represents and what Harry can do and what he will bring to a squad. I am not so clear about what how would Trevor behave in this environment. So this is uh this is where it is and and I think uh performance-wise Trevor is a step ahead at the moment. and he is involved in a in a champions fighting for Champions League campaign and um that’s why we finish with two from Carrie Thomas Lewis Skelly an outstanding season from him just stepping into that Champions League semi-final with such natural ease but you’re still a little light on the left there considering that was a real issue for Gareth Selfgate. Is that a real concern for you? um not a concern because first of all we we love we love um Miles and what he does and and what he did. We have Ree who can Ree James who can play on the left side without the problem. Um Tino Lementoto would have been a natural choice but we decided that he takes the role. Um the intention is that he plays for the under 21. So no no no concern and uh we have um O’Reilly for for Man City lately playing on this position. So no players will come up and players will show up. Luke Shaw is is uh was involved in the in the last matches and and coming hopefully back to his to his best version of himself. So we’ll find always a good solution. You’ve got Crystal Palace players in your squad. So any Crystal Palace fans concerned that you’re not believing in Adam Morton by putting him in the under21s. Can you talk about your belief of sort of loaning back players to the 21s, ensuring in a competition year they get a chance to win? How important is for that? Well, it’s the last chance for them for for most of them to be picked in the under21. So this is the last this is the last window from September. They fight for a place in in in in in the national team and then they fight against big big players in a in in a big in a big concurrent situation. So I think they they will embrace it to to now play Europe the Euros with the under 21s and that’s what we want from them. Take responsibility. I mean this year Newcastle uh Newcastle won the Carabau Cup, Crystal Palace won won the FA Cup, the Spurs won the Europa League. So uh a lot of players were involved in in titles who are not used of winning titles. So this is a big boost for us is very very good because they showed that they have the winning mentality and then they showed they can bring it over the over the line no matter what. And this is what we want now from from from the young guys when they go with Lee for the under 21s. We we want exactly that and this will play a huge part in their development. I’m I’m absolutely convinced and and from September they have to compete for the for the spots in our team. Okay. A lot of people see the Walton’s exclusion Jordan Henderson into the team. I spoke to Harry Kane about Jordan Henderson. I was like can we talk about what a future coach he’ll make because of his leadership qualities and he said no that would be disrespectful because he’s still giving so much on the pitch so much to the squad. Can you explain to people that are still quite skeptical that he’s in your selection again what he brings to you as a coach and on the field even when he’s not playing? If you have a training exercise in different groups and then the group where Jordan is, you can you can just turn your back. You don’t need to watch. He will take care of all the standards in this group. May it may be a a possession game, may be a a passing exercise, may be the warm-up. you don’t need to take care of this group because he takes care of this group. Jordan takes care of of of of standards. Jordan sets the standards. He is vocal. He’s a natural leader and uh and the others follow. So he has this kind of ability and and that’s why he’s with us because he’s doing this in a very impressive way. He’s still still playing on a decent level and uh that’s why there was uh there was not not a thought to drop him. You seemed a bit exasperated by the question. Are you frustrated having to justify his? No, no, I can understand it. But once you meet Jordan and once you see Jordan, once you speak to Jordan, it’s such an obvious choice that it’s that it’s maybe your perception is a bit far like seems far away from my perception, but I can understand the question. But it’s not Adam Barton versus Jordan Henderson. What Jordan Henderson brings in the moment to the group under 21 player cannot bring. It’s it’s just impossible from the personality, from the experience. And um Jordan is more than happy to accept the challenge also that he he he wants no gifts. He wants no no presence. And at the moment, considering the last camp, it’s only my second camp. So considering last camp, um he he had all the right to be picked again. Okay, we’ll end it there. Thank you very much. Thank you guys. 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