Vice-captain Rice, Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, Rashford and Livramento were all absent. From any perspective, the withdrawal of multiple players from the England squad is not a good situation for Thomas Tuchel. The large number of players choosing to withdraw indicates that England's national team priority has once again been relegated to the background. The Telegraph further highlighted that with so many key players withdrawing, this inevitably raises questions about Tuchel's relationship with the players. After England's heavy defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, Tuchel faces the difficult task of regaining the players' confidence. Since taking office, Tuchel has consistently promoted "brotherhood" within the team, but fans will now question the authenticity of his words.

Tuchel has always insisted that he has built a sense of "brotherhood" within the team during his tenure, and now this rhetoric seems somewhat ironic. Is this assessment too harsh? Each player's situation should be examined individually and objectively, and it is unfair to lump everyone together.

Four Nations League matches are scheduled over the next three weeks. The players' withdrawals have all been confirmed by England's medical team, with the official reasons cited being physical injuries. We should accept these explanations.

However, there is a term very frequently used in football at the moment: load management. The absences of Rice and Palmer also fall under this approach. Simply put, it involves assessing the total number of matches a player has played, predicting and avoiding the risk of injury from overload.

Palmer had a summer break, but Chelsea's reason is that his early season schedule was too intense, and the club does not want him to suffer injuries.

This logic seems reasonable. However, Palmer has an urgent need to prove himself and secure his place in the England squad, yet he will miss all four matches. This decision seems somewhat excessive.

Load management will be mentioned increasingly this season as players bear the physical cost of an unprecedentedly dense fixture list.

This issue is also at the heart of the conflict: growing tensions between England's coaching staff and clubs' medical departments. We witnessed these conflicts erupt last season with Enzo Maresca's sacking at Chelsea.

Tuchel must be very frustrated, even embarrassed. Did the load management issue suddenly emerge only after the latest Premier League matchday? Or has it been known for some time that certain players needed rest? Is communication between the FA and clubs adequate?

It is difficult for outsiders not to wonder: if the Premier League were being played this weekend instead of England matches, these players would very likely be on the pitch. Of course, this is merely speculation. But over the next three weeks, can they not play even one or two matches?

Palmer and Rice played full 90 minutes in their club matches last weekend; Rashford and Mainoo played 77 and 80 minutes respectively in Manchester United's match. Rashford has been hampered by a minor, recurring hip issue, while Carrick stated that Mainoo's substitution was a tactical choice.

The Telegraph reported on Friday that following England's heavy defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, Tuchel faces the difficult task of regaining the players' confidence.

It is not that all five players who withdrew this time were part of that World Cup squad – three of them did not even participate in the World Cup. But the absence of so many key players inevitably raises questions about the relationship between the manager and the players, and the players' willingness to play for England.

Palmer did not participate in the World Cup; Mainoo was called up but did not play a single minute; Rashford was in the squad but his playing time was irregular; Livramento withdrew due to injury before the tournament even began; Rice played all World Cup matches despite an injury. No one would doubt that Rice genuinely had issues with excessive physical workload.

However, these England matches are in no way insignificant friendly matches or low-level competitions. Although these are only Nations League matches and not European Championship qualifiers, England face Spain, the world and European champions, on Saturday, followed by away matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia, then a home match against the Czech Republic. The team must perform well, and Tuchel needs this too. These matches are an opportunity to establish an attitude and prove that Tuchel is capable of leading this team.

With nearly 20% of the original squad collectively absent, it is difficult not to worry: is England returning to the old era where club interests took precedence and the national team was secondary, an era not so long ago?

Regardless of how one evaluates Gareth Southgate's management tactics, he made significant efforts and largely succeeded in reversing this trend. He worked to ensure that wearing the England shirt was no longer a burden, making playing for England a more enjoyable experience rather than a chore, and encouraging players to answer England's call.

As a player, Southgate personally experienced the problem of club cliques and factions, factors that had seriously harmed England's performances in the past.

Even if Tuchel continuously promotes "brotherhood" within the team, has he truly lived up to the spiritual legacy left by Southgate?

If these five players' injuries are not serious, and for some it is more a matter of load management, then their complete withdrawal from this England squad is difficult to justify. A compromise would be: rest this week, then return for the final two matches; or at least attend training for a period to integrate into the team camp environment.

Some national teams, such as Jürgen Klopp's Germany, have assembled two separate squads to handle these four Nations League matches and the long international break. The dense fixture list puts enormous strain on players, both mentally and physically.

Tuchel also considered a similar plan but ultimately decided against it. This choice is understandable. However, the reality is clear: a large number of players have chosen to withdraw, and whether or not this external perception is fair, England's national team priority has once again been relegated to the background.

Traduit par IA.

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