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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter

‘Play with a smile’: Tuchel challenges England to relax and hit top gear

Thomas Tuchel talks to Declan Rice during an England training session at St George’s Park.
Thomas Tuchel talks to Declan Rice during an England training session at St George’s Park. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

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.

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