The not-so-hidden message in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup press conference

Thomas Tuchel can occasionally be careless with his words, like the time he said his mum found Jude Bellingham’s on-field behaviour “repulsive” . It provoked an apology and Tuchel blamed a slip of the tongue in his second language, even though his command of English is better than most of us writing up the story. He rarely stops to think too hard about how the media will interpret his words, in the way his predecessor Gareth Southgate was so deliberate and precise.

Thomas Tuchel produced some pointed words at the start of his World Cup squad naming press conference (Reuters) But there could be no misunderstanding of his remarks at the start of Friday’s Wembley press conference , which were pre-selected and carefully chosen. There was clarity in his voice and perhaps some loaded, pointed words for certain players. An hour after England’s World Cup squad was announced, confirming the notable omissions of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire, Tuchel seemed to send a message.

“From day one we were very clear that we are trying to select and build the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect the 26 most talented players,” Tuchel said. “Teams win championships. It’s as simple as that.

And what we are trying to achieve in summer can only be achieved as a team. ” Thomas Tuchel admitted that the narrowing down of his squad had been ‘painful’ (Getty) When pressed on specific players, Tuchel said they were “painful conversations” with players he respected. “We have to leave some extraordinary talents, some extraordinary personalities at home.