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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner in Barcelona

Thomas Tuchel wary of physical demands on his England players

Jude Bellingham during a pitch walk at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona
Jude Bellingham during a pitch walk at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Friday evening. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA

Thomas Tuchel is determined to find the answer to England’s physical problems after gruelling Premier League campaigns, having noted that the team were “most comfortable” in terms of recent tournaments at the mid-season Qatar World Cup in 2022.

The head coach, who is preparing here for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra, wants to harness the traditional virtues of the English game – namely pace, strength and aggression. But he is aware that searing temperatures await at many of the venues for the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico next summer and, as such, it will be vital to be able to play in different styles.

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