Thomas Tuchel: We're clearly at a disadvantage this summer because most of our players come from the Premier League

After England's commanding 3-0 home victory over the Czech Republic in the fourth match of the UEFA Nations League group stage, England manager Thomas Tuchel attended a press conference. Below is the second part of his remarks.

About one player, Jarrell Quansah—he played as a right-back during this training camp and then moved back to centre-back. Could you speak to his versatility and his performance today?

Excellent. I know he can play both positions, and he can also play in a back three, which is one of his strengths. I think he can play all four positions in a back four and all five positions in a back five or back three, and that's what makes him very strong. He's still very young, and maintaining tactical flexibility is a huge bonus for him. It gives him another chance to start in a different position. So that's where he is right now. He has a very positive and open attitude about it, and he performed excellently again today. He did very well.

Thomas, beyond what you knew about this team before the training camp, as you look back over this international break, what new insights and lessons have you learned about your team from these four matches?

I'm not entirely sure. I need time to review and discuss things in detail with the coaching staff. Actually, there's nothing particularly new. I think the high-level performances on the pitch, this exceptional quality, the joy of fighting alongside each other, and smooth tactical coordination—these are things I see frequently in our daily training. I'm just very pleased that we can display this level of quality consistently, and that's how it should be. I can really feel that the players are enjoying playing together and have fully embraced and understood this style of play.

So we play with intense pressing, and we've incorporated carefully designed and calculated risks into our game—particularly with high pressing in the final third. Of course, there's always room for improvement, but for now it's a continuous learning process for me. I mean, I need a bit of time to reflect and consider, but right now I can tell you clearly that I feel very good and optimistic about this training camp. I'm very pleased with the progress and results of the entire camp.

Thomas, the current squad is missing several key players who went to the World Cup, and many new selections have performed very well. Do you feel this is the most intense and strongest internal competition for places you've had since becoming England manager?

Yes, perhaps. That depends entirely on the players, and it should. I think right now we have more tactical options. I believe that after a major tournament, while planning long-term—such as laying the foundations for the next Euros—it's crucial to maintain the ability to compete at the highest level in the current competitions we're facing. We need to complete the qualification campaign, and we started this competition with great ambition.

So this is the tactical balance we need to find. After a major tournament, it's always important to move forward, bring in fresh blood and new players, and stimulate healthy and renewed internal competition—which is what we have now. I want to emphasize that it always depends on every player who comes together at the training camp. The players are what make this camp special again, and the internal competition is at full intensity.

Hello Thomas, the fans in the stadium were chanting your name tonight, and I believe they did the same during the match against Spain before. Given all the criticism from outside since the World Cup, what does this support from the fans mean to you?

Yes, it means a lot to me. It's really wonderful. I mean, it's a tremendous honour that the fans have written and sung a song for me. I feel very happy and deeply honoured. Fans can rest assured that I will absolutely give everything to lead our team to victory and play exciting football.

Hello Thomas, you've mentioned the word "intensity" many times. I'm just wondering whether, after a long and difficult club season, England can still play with the high intensity you've shown in the last few matches during a major summer tournament?

Yes, I hope so. But let's wait and see. The real test and proof of concept will hopefully come in the final rounds, but first we need to successfully navigate the group stage. In sports, nothing is guaranteed until a decision is made. So we have to take it step by step.

But yes, this concept will be tested over the summer. When we enter a major tournament in the summer, we typically face a concrete disadvantage. The reality is that most of our players compete in the Premier League, which is the most competitive and congested league. Their clubs play over 60 matches in one season, with every Premier League match being a difficult battle.

So we often enter a major summer tournament with this physical disadvantage. But we have competitive flexibility and a strong advantage, and the players will definitely be ready. We were in excellent physical condition during the World Cup, and we'll be ready for the upcoming UEFA Nations League final—hopefully we progress—and then we'll be fully ready for the European Championship as well.

Hello Thomas, you just said England didn't fail to advance from the group stage this summer. Why do you feel the need to emphasize this point so strongly? Do you feel that external expectations or public scrutiny of the team this year have been too intense and overwhelming?

There has been a bit of that feeling during this period. Yes.

Why?

Did you attend the press conference before the France match?

Me? No, I didn't...

Well then you wouldn't understand why, obviously.

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