England are preparing for their final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica. The team’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, and defender Marc Guehi spoke to the media ahead of the fixture. The match against Costa Rica is scheduled for Wednesday, with England‘s first group stage match against Croatia set for June 17.
Thomas Tuchel indicated that players starting against Costa Rica would play for approximately 60 or 70 minutes. He also stated that England cannot be considered favourites for the tournament due to their history, but expressed a desire to “dream big.”
Marc Guehi commented on the team’s adaptation to the heat, describing the decision to arrive in the US early as a “fantastic idea.” He also emphasised the importance of teamwork, stating that individual playing time is not as crucial as the team’s overall performance and progression through the competition.
Squad Preparations and Player Fitness
The England squad participated in a training session on Tuesday. Tuchel highlighted the importance of managing the fitness of Bukayo Saka, who has been dealing with an Achilles injury. Saka joined the national team in Florida on Saturday, along with Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, after they were given time off following the Champions League final.
Tuchel mentioned that Saka was managed between matches during his club campaign and that this management continues. He confirmed that Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze are all fully available. The team is currently concluding its pre-World Cup training camp in Miami, focusing on adapting to the weather conditions expected in the USA.
Regarding the team’s physical capabilities, Marc Guehi believes the squad possesses the necessary attributes, both physically and technically, to meet the demands of the tournament. He stressed the need for game management and understanding different match conditions.
Tuchel has players available for the match against Costa Rica. This includes the 26-man tournament squad, supplemented by training players such as Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri, and Jason Steele.
Manager’s Outlook and Team Dynamics
Thomas Tuchel discussed the team’s atmosphere in the training camp, describing it as very relaxed. He noted that players have had afternoons off to reconnect with friends and family, and a barbecue was held for friends and family, fostering a positive energy within the camp. He expects the focus and tension to naturally increase as they move to Kansas and prepare for their first game.
Tuchel also spoke about Harry Kane, calling him a superstar and a fantastic leader who is in top shape. He praised Kane‘s influence and success in recent seasons at Bayern Munich, highlighting his dedication to team victory.
When asked about England‘s chances, Tuchel acknowledged that reaching two Euros finals and the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup demonstrates their capability to win. However, he maintained that England are not favourites due to historical context. He emphasised a step-by-step approach, focusing on the preparation camp and then the group stage, rather than trying to digest the entire tournament at once.
Marc Guehi, when asked about the team’s identity under Tuchel, suggested it would resemble their qualifying phase performances, focusing on physical capabilities and imposing them on the pitch, while also being mindful of conditions like heat.
Tuchel identified Portugal as one of the favourites for the World Cup, citing their success in the Nations League and the involvement of Portuguese players in Paris St-Germain‘s Champions League win. He described them as having a strong football team, coach, and players.
The team’s first group match is scheduled for June 17 against Croatia.
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Source: bbc.com
