‘We have not clicked yet': Tuchel backs England to take on world's best teams
Thomas Tuchel has said England should not have an inferiority complex in relation to the world's strongest teams but must start playing with a smile to realise their true potential.
The England head coach said his side 'have not clicked yet' and, as well as criticising the attitude against Andorra on Saturday, believes the performance was too rigid and too serious. England's labours in Barcelona were put into sharper focus by the quality of Portugal and Spain in the Nations League final the following night. Tuchel, however, insists England are not inferior to those nations and will improve, beginning with the friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday.
Advertisement
Related: England's grind, Nations League drama and Ange Postecoglou out at Spurs – Football Weekly
'The level will increase immediately once we are playing against Portugal or Spain. We will rise to the occasion. This will come,' said Tuchel. 'It will bring out the very best in us. We shall not develop a complex because there is no need for it. Spain qualified for the final four with a very lucky win over the Netherlands. Everyone is beatable. They play together in a fluidity and a rhythm which is outstanding and the highest level.
'It is one of the most difficult things to do to play Spain in a final. I struggle to say 'we' because we were not there [in the final of Euro 2024] but it was 1-1 and Spain scored in the last minute and that gave the title to Spain. We have what it takes to compete. We need to improve, for sure. We have not clicked yet.'
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach, like many of his predecessors, is already wrestling with the dilemma of why so many gifted individuals do not bring their club form on to the international stage. 'That's the question that needs to be answered,' said Tuchel. 'I think that even Cole [Palmer] struggled lately at Chelsea to have an impact. Phil [Foden], unfortunately, struggled over many months now to have the impact that he can have.
Advertisement
'It is a different strategy [with England], it's different principles of the game and to make everyone play to the same rhythm, to make everyone play to the same principles, takes obviously a little bit more time than we would like. I see the structure in the game, I see the control, I see the amount of passes, but we can do better. We can be more fluid. We can be more exciting which since a longer time I feel has been a bit of a problem. I feel it's a bit stuck, serious, I see us train with a smile but not play with a smile.'
Jude Bellingham missed training on Monday to attend a family funeral but rejoined the squad later in the day. Tuchel indicated he could change goalkeepers against Senegal and would have to be careful with the minutes given to players heading to the Club World Cup.
'It is not so many players,' he said of the tournament. 'But I think it will have a huge impact and will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage next season to not be there. We will deal with the effect when the effect comes.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Watch: New Real Madrid signing arrives in Spain
Footage stemming from Spain's capital on Wednesday evening is no doubt set to spark excitement across the fanbase of La Liga giants Real Madrid. This comes after another of the club's new signings arrived in the city, ahead of being unveiled as a Blancos player. Advertisement The player in question? Trent Alexander-Arnold. Right-back Alexander-Arnold was of course announced as a new Real Madrid player late last month. The 26-year-old had since linked up with Thomas Tuchel's England national team squad, for a pair of fixtures against Andorra and Senegal. With their new defender's international commitments now complete, though, Real Madrid announced earlier today that Alexander-Arnold will be officially presented in front of the media on Thursday. And as alluded to above, late this evening, the former Liverpool standout touched down in his new home for the first time. In footage captured by El Chiringuito TV, Alexander-Arnold can be seen in the city of Madrid, entering a private car: Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jose Iglesias' slick sliding stop
Thomas Tuchel won't panic after England suffer shock loss to Senegal Thomas Tuchel insists there is 'no need to panic' despite England suffering a shock 3-1 friendly defeat at home to Senegal a year out from the World Cup. Among the favourites for glory in North America, the Euro 2024 runners-up received a wake-up call as the German head coach's honeymoon period came to a crashing end at the City Ground. England were booed off for the second time in four days as Saturday's stultifying 1-0 qualification win against minnows Andorra was followed by a first ever loss to African opposition on Tuesday evening. 1:03 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Official: Inter Milan Announce Squad For FIFA Club World Cup – Both Summer Signings Make The List
Official: Inter Milan Announce Squad For FIFA Club World Cup – Both Summer Signings Make The List New Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has named his 33-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Chivu will lead the Nerazzurri expedition in North America after taking the managerial reins from Simone Inzaghi. Advertisement Despite a lack of experience in senior management, the 44-year-old will try to help Inter forget a gut-wrenching season. Indeed, the 20-time Italian champions finished the 2024/25 empty-handed. Therefore, the Club World Cup could be a perfect opportunity for the team to bounce back. Inter Milan Name 33-Man Squad for FIFA Club World Cup MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez, Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale celebrate their victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Chivu's list features summer additions and all long-serving stalwarts, including the injured Hakan Calhanoglu and Yann Bisseck. Furthermore, both summer acquisitions have already chosen their numbers. Luis Henrique, who joined the club from Marseille, will don the No.11 shirt previously worn by Joaquin Correa. Advertisement Meanwhile, Petar Sucic will take the No.8 jersey from Marko Arnautovic, whose contract at San Siro expires at the end of June. Unfortunately, Inter missed out on signing Ange-Yoan Bonny ahead of the tournament.