Thomas Tuchel has been talking about the withdrawal of Newcastle United star Tino Livramento from his England squad.
The manager speaking at his press conference ahead of England taking on Croatia in the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday (9pm UK time) as they bid to get their World Cup off to the best possible start in Group L.
Thomas Tuchel explaining how the calf injury ensured the end of Livramento’s 2026 World Cup dream: “Tino was very disappointed and very sad, all of us were. It was a shock in training and when he stopped training he had the feeling that this could be an injury that costs him the tournament, he was unfortunately right. Tino has an injury of four or five weeks which is unfortunately too long to reintegrate him into the squad.”
A lot of talk about who Thomas Tuchel could/would call up as the Tino Livramento replacement.
England seemingly short on full-backs and Lewis Hall an obvious choice, especially as for most fans he was very unlucky to be left out of the squad anyway.
Thomas Tuchel explaining why instead he called up Chelsea central defender Trevoh Chalobah: “We called Trevoh Chalobah [into the squad] because we then free up Jarell Quansah as a full-back on both sides, Djed Spence can be a full-back on both sides. Trevoh comes as a centre-back alternative and he gives us full coverage in the back four.”
Thomas Tuchel then turning his attention to tonight’s opening group match and what it means to be managing England at the World Cup finals: “It is the best stage, it is the biggest tournament in the world. The biggest competition, the biggest players playing in the same tournament, this is what it is. I am grateful to have the possibility to be the coach of England and to have the experience to coach at a World Cup. It comes with responsibility and I want to live up to this responsibility and push the team, prepare the team and support the players to do their very best.”
The England boss going on to add: “We dream. We dream…we have the right to dream, but we don’t want to be delusional. It comes with responsibility and with the effort. We want to put the effort in and deserve the outcome.”
Wednesday 17 June
Croatia v England – World Cup group match 9pm ITV
Tuesday 23 June
Ghana v England – World Cup group match 9pm BBC
Saturday 27 June
Panama v England – World Cup group match 10pm ITV