England's national football team coach, Thomas Tuchel, has emphasized the importance of social skills alongside talent for players hoping to secure a place in his World Cup squad. With the World Cup on the horizon, Tuchel is prioritizing the creation of a cohesive and unified team, highlighting that individual brilliance alone won't be enough to achieve success.
Tuchel's focus on team building was evident in recent matches, where he opted to start players who had impressed in previous games, even if it meant Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, had to start on the bench. Tuchel introduced Bellingham and Foden in the second half at Wembley in a 2-0 win against Serbia. This decision underscores his belief that places in the team must be earned through performance and commitment to the team's ethos, rather than relying solely on reputation.
"It is not about building a starting eleven. It is about building a team," Tuchel stated. "They are all big players at their clubs, they are all disappointed when they don't play. This is normal. But they buy into this idea of building a team". He believes that a strong sense of purpose and unity within the squad is crucial, ensuring that players are willing to put their personal ambitions aside for the greater good of the team.
Tuchel is convinced that togetherness will prevent players from sulking if they are not selected in the starting lineup at the World Cup. He recognizes that while every player desires to play, a successful team requires individuals who can contribute even when faced with disappointment. "Only a strong group that can put their ego behind, the disappointment behind, and contribute to give the coach a headache for the next match," he added.
Beyond fostering a strong team environment, Tuchel is also keen on ensuring his players maintain discipline and avoid unnecessary risks. He plans to address the issue of red cards with his squad, cautioning them against actions that could lead to suspension and potentially jeopardize their participation in crucial World Cup matches. Drawing from past incidents, such as Wayne Rooney's suspension during Euro 2012, Tuchel aims to prevent similar situations by urging his players to exercise caution.
"It is important, I'm aware of it and we will talk about it," Tuchel said. "No red cards please". He even suggested that in certain situations, it would be wiser to concede a scoring opportunity rather than risk a sending-off.
Tuchel also addressed an incident involving full-back Djed Spence, who displayed a negative reaction after Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea. Tuchel emphasized that players are always national players, and their behavior should reflect the standards expected of representatives of the England team. "I didn’t like it,” he explained. “Because the players know they are not only national players when they are the 10 days in camp, they are always national players and the standard of behaviour is always important".
In addition to setting behavioral standards, Tuchel is committed to maintaining open communication with players who may be on the fringes of the squad. He intends to personally reach out to those on the long list, explaining the reasons for their omission and providing guidance on areas for improvement. This proactive approach demonstrates Tuchel's dedication to fostering a culture of transparency and continuous development within the England setup.
