England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel has defended players who withdrew from his squad ahead of the friendly against Japan at Wembley, blaming the situation on heavy workloads at the end of the club season.
England’s preparations were disrupted after eight players left camp following a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in a friendly on Friday, citing injury and health concerns.
Among those who withdrew were goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, defender Fikayo Tomori and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Defender John Stones returned to Manchester City after sustaining an injury before the Uruguay match.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Noni Madueke were injured during the game, while Madueke’s Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also returned to their club.
“Disappointed but not with the players, with the fact we want to have everyone in good spirits and health,” Tuchel told reporters. “It’s the reality of end of the season and the end March, the reality of having players in European matches and more than just one competition with all the cups going on.
“We have players in camp that have already played more minutes than last season, so there is some concern. The players needed and deserved the mental break from football. We could see the energy with which they came back into camp and to reconnect now in the new environment.
“We want them to perform in their clubs but the reality is it’s our last camp before we leave to America, so we want to reconnect to our principles. It’s disappointing but I’m not upset with the players, I’m not angry.
“I got the feeling that everyone was desperate to come. Some of the injured players even stayed to do their treatment, that shows they want to be around the group. No one left straight away, it’s a good spirit and that’s how it should be.”
England face Japan on Tuesday before taking on Costa Rica next month as preparations continue for the World Cup in North America.
Tuchel dismissed comparisons with other top teams such as France.
“I don’t know. You cannot compare, you saw our line-up and opponent, it’s just March,” he said.
“We are happy with the way we have done our camp until now. I know it wasn’t the nicest watch, but I know we played against a well-coached side and best possible line-up of Uruguay.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
