Thomas Tuchel expressed concerns over the next two months of football, describing it as potentially “scary,” especially after injuries disrupted England’s plans during the March international break.
The Three Lions suffered a 1-0 loss to Japan at Wembley on Tuesday, marking their last match before Tuchel announces the 26-man World Cup squad. The experimental team produced another disappointing performance, coming off a 1-1 draw with Uruguay just four days earlier.
Captain Harry Kane was rested as a precaution due to an injury sustained in training, while Jordan Henderson returned to Brentford just before the match. This contributed to a series of fitness issues that led to withdrawals from several key players including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, John Stones, and Adam Wharton.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori, and Aaron Ramsdale were also excluded from the enlarged squad after their participation against Uruguay.
“Watching football on the weekend and beyond could be frightening, as every muscle injury from now on could mean a player may be unavailable,” Tuchel remarked. “It’s unfortunate when players get injured. With key figures like Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice missing, and now the absence of Harry Kane, it impacts the leadership within the squad.”
“Everyone has given their all, and while I still believe we can manage these injuries in the lead-up to May and prepare for the World Cup, I am concerned about what lies ahead in the next eight weeks. I sincerely hope all players remain healthy.”
Despite enjoying a perfect qualifying campaign for the World Cup — winning all eight matches without conceding — England has faced difficulty with one draw and two defeats against teams ranked in FIFA’s top 20 under Tuchel.
Nevertheless, Tuchel downplayed the importance of these recent results against Senegal, Uruguay, and Japan, stating, “What matters most is that we learn from these experiences. This camp will not define us, and we have two months to reflect, make adjustments, and ensure the players return to health.”
“I hope we have all options available moving forward so we can chase our dream in June.”