Thomas Tuchel has mounted a robust defence of the eight England players who withdrew from his squad prior to Tuesday’s friendly encounter with Japan at Wembley.
The England coach made clear on Monday that he harbours no ill feeling towards those who departed, despite the significant disruption to his preparations.
“Disappointed but not with the players, with the fact we want to have everyone in good spirits and health,” Tuchel told reporters.
The Three Lions boss attributed the departures to the punishing demands placed upon elite footballers during the closing stages of the domestic campaign.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has defended the players that have left the camp amid injury troubles
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He emphasised that every player who left had been genuinely keen to represent their country but physical ailments rendered their involvement impossible.
The Arsenal contingent drew particular scrutiny, with Rice, Saka and Madueke among ten Gunners players to have withdrawn from international duty in recent days.
Such a mass exodus inevitably sparked speculation that the north London club, currently nine points clear atop the Premier League in pursuit of their first title since 2004, might be encouraging players to prioritise domestic ambitions.
Tuchel firmly rejected any such insinuation.
“They joined, had a medical assessment, wanted desperately to play, to just get the narrative straight. Wanted desperately to be involved,” he stated.
England’s squad has been decimated ahead of the friendly against Japan
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“The risk for making it worse was just way too big. They were both clearly in discomfort when we did the medical assessment, so it made absolutely no sense that they stayed.”
The withdrawals extended well beyond the Emirates contingent, with Manchester City’s John Stones departing after sustaining a calf problem prior to Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
The centre-back has managed merely five appearances for his club since last featuring for England in November.
Rice and Saka have been released for medical assessment at their club | GETTY
The Japan fixture represents England’s final home engagement before the World Cup, which commences on 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Tuchel’s squad will reconvene in June for friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica before travelling to America.
England open their tournament campaign against Croatia on 17 June, followed by group stage encounters with Ghana and Panama.
The deadline for submitting World Cup squads falls on 30 May.
Despite the disruption, Tuchel expressed satisfaction with the camp’s overall progress, noting that injured players had remained to begin their rehabilitation rather than departing immediately.
“That shows they want to be around the group,” he observed. “It’s a good spirit and that’s how it should be.”
