Thomas Tuchel and Marc Guéhi's FULL press conference ahead to final group game

[0:00] Thomas it's Kave from Sky Sports News. Just on Rhys James, what is his injury, how bad is it, [0:08] how long do you think he'll be out for and can you talk us through your thinking about not [0:15] calling up a specialist right back like Trent Alexander-Arnold when Tino Libermento was injured [0:22] as well? He has a minor hamstring issue, minor hamstring injury, was not able to train the last [0:31] two days. He is now in an accelerated rehabilitation program and we take it game by game but we strongly [0:41] believe that he will be available for us in the tournament. The thinking, we called Trevor [0:50] Charlobab to free up Joel Kwanza on the right fullback position for us. I saw him very strong [0:59] there playing for Liverpool and he played in a back three which is not so far away from the [1:06] position in Leverkusen and we have Chad Spence, no one could see that coming. Rhys was in good shape [1:15] and felt very well. Kwanza played on the position as well for us on a high level, we are still no problem. [1:25] We would love to have Rhys as a key player, we would love to have him available, he's not available, [1:30] we will find solutions, that's what we do. It's a short period of time, it's a tournament, we will [1:37] find solutions. Hi Thomas, apart from Rhys James, do you have a full quota of players available for [1:46] tomorrow? Yeah. And just on the same subject, are you satisfied with the, despite Rhys James and Tino [1:52] Libermento going, satisfied with the fullback options that you have at your disposal at the moment? [1:58] Yeah, yes I am, I selected the team so, yeah we are happy, we're happy with the, with the characteristic [2:06] of the, of the players and, and, and the strengths that they give us, Elliot Anderson was in full [2:13] training today and Declan Rice was in full training today, they felt both, they had minor issues after the [2:21] match but had enough time to recover so everyone except for Rhys James is available and, and ready to go, [2:27] and we will take the, the decision tonight. Okay, Carrie. Hi Thomas, this is going to be a tough [2:35] encounter, it was a big 6-1 victory in the 2018 World Cup of course with Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick but [2:42] a much different side now, two defeats but only by that one goal margin. Rhys James helps you unlock [2:49] teams like that but what have you learnt from the match against Ghana and the deadlock there that [2:54] has to improve to get through what could be another deadlock? I'm, I'm, I'm glad about the tone of your [2:59] question because that's, that's exactly what it is, it's a difficult match against the team that is so [3:04] difficult to break down, they hardly allowed any chances, they conceded in the 95th minute I think [3:10] against Ghana in a counter-attack when they tried to score the winner and they allowed I think two shots [3:17] on target against Croatia so that's basically the story. We see a well-coached, a well-drilled team [3:25] from a coach who's there now since five, six years, you just see a clear identity, they're in the world [3:32] ranking I think on the same level than Wales and Serbia so it's not the most famous, the most well-known [3:39] football nation, most glamorous football name but they are, they were strong and through this group, they [3:46] can play in the role of an underdog, they can play without any pressure so that's what we expect, it's a, [3:53] it's a complex game, we expect them from time to time defend again in a deep block so we have to try [3:59] to break it down, accelerate the game in the right moments but we see also high press, high press against [4:07] our goal kicks, against our goalkeeper when in-game, we see ball possession phases so yeah it's a complex [4:15] one, it's a complex one, we're in the role of the favourites, we have to do some stuff better, [4:21] details better than against Ghana but it's, it's another challenge and and we need another top [4:27] performance to be able to win, sorry pitch. Hi Thomas, good luck tomorrow, just just wondering, [4:36] Elliot Anderson, there's been a development it seems with Manchester City, I know we spoke to you [4:41] before the tournament about deals getting done during the camp and things, just wondering what [4:46] your take on it is, are you going to be allowing to have the medical on England time, how's that look? [4:53] We had no distractions, no medical before, before the match, all the focus was on his recovery and [4:59] and getting him available for training and the focus was on training and travelling with us so no, no distractions and [5:08] from the, from the main topic which is clearly the match tomorrow, we want to win the match, [5:13] we want to win the group and we need Elliot in the right mindset, the reality is that the transfers are going on [5:22] in world football while we are playing and big transfers take their time so we understand that [5:30] things are going on behind the scenes and we will facilitate of course that transfer but after the [5:37] match not before. Thomas, can we just clarify, sorry but this question isn't really for Mark so apologies, [5:48] can we just clarify these two injury situations, so you're saying that Rhys James could be fit for [5:55] the last 32 and that Elliot is fit to play tomorrow? Elliot and Declan are both available. What about [6:04] Rhys James? Same, as you said it yeah, we have hopes for the next match, can be a, can be a tight one but [6:11] hopes are still alive. Definitely out tomorrow. Yeah yeah, he's not in the, he didn't travel with us. Okay. [6:16] It's on. Yeah, Mark I'll ask you a question if that's all right. Thanks. [6:24] You came out of the side for the opening game before being recalled for the second game. [6:29] As a part of the squad, how was that, is it hard to deal with and how important was it for you to [6:33] get back into starting line-up? No, it wasn't difficult. I said before that, to be honest it [6:40] didn't really matter who played, as long as the team does well, we're all here for one goal and we [6:45] will know what that is. So, you know, as long as the team does well, it's the most important. [6:49] But I'm glad to have been given the opportunity last game to help the team and you know, [6:53] I'll take whatever role I'm given. Hi, Mark. Okay. I'm Harry Kurniaman from [7:01] IndonesianMediaBola.com. So, I mean, facing Panama is like a challenge for you because Panama has [7:08] nothing to lose. They already exit for this World Cup. So, how do you prepare mentally to face that kind of [7:16] opponents? Yeah, I think we have to just stay focused on ourselves. To be honest, it doesn't [7:22] really matter whether Panama are still in the competition or not. I think their goal is always [7:27] the same. It's to try and do as well as possible and make their country proud. For us, it's to try [7:31] and improve on the things from the last game. It'll be difficult because, again, it'll be a similar game, [7:36] but you know, if we can do that, I think it'll be real positive. This way, for the coach for Fox Latin America, [7:44] the group stage is coming to an end. So, I just wanted to ask you a little bit of a reflection of [7:49] this new format with all these three third teams going into the next round. Do you like it better [7:56] than the past format or what's your response? It is what it is, honestly. I don't reflect on it in a [8:03] way if I like it more or less. It is just that's the format. We knew about the format. We make the best [8:09] out of it. I think every coach, every player would like it to have it to play quicker once the [8:16] tournament starts to get everything a bit more condensed, but it's just not the reality with [8:21] the amount of teams that participate and that's just what it is. It's a big chance and a big [8:28] opportunity and a big stage for teams that are now new at the World Cup or have the chance to qualify, [8:35] a better chance to qualify. We have to respect that and we have to honor that. It's a huge, massive, [8:41] massive thing for them. And yeah, we are spoiled because our nations are regularly part of a tournament [8:50] and the big nations compete every four years. But for smaller countries, for underdog countries, [8:58] they can take this opportunity and that's what the format is. So we adapt. We had a good pre-camp. We [9:05] had a good camp so far. And yeah, it's one more match. It's very demanding, but that's what it is. [9:14] Hi, Mark. There have been a lot of criticisms about the condition of the pitch. And this [9:22] state had like a day ago a game here. Is this something that you can adjust too easy or it's [9:29] going to be complicated, you think? I think for us, it's the same for every team, every single player. [9:37] So there's no complaints here. So far, the pitches that we played on have been good. So, you know, [9:43] from from our point of view, it's not an issue as long as everyone's playing on the same pitch, [9:47] which is the most important. Hi, Thomas here. I'm Jan Tellez from Spanish News Agency. I'm really curious about [9:56] the thing of being a national team coach from another country. In Brazil, there's also Carlo Ancelotti. [10:04] At some point, maybe Pep Guardiola will train a national team, which is not Spain, maybe. And now you [10:11] are here with England. I would like you to ask about the pros and cons about this, about being a coach [10:20] from a different country. Thanks. Well, the biggest cons is I don't have an English [10:26] passport, but that's maybe it. And that was clear from the beginning. I love to be the England coach. [10:31] And I was never shy about that. I have a huge affection for the for the country and for the [10:38] people in the country and for the way they approach football and sports in general. I fell in love with [10:44] the country and Premier League. I wanted to be that was a dream to work there now to have the chance to [10:52] work with these kind of players. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm very grateful for it. And [11:00] yeah, no one wants it more than me. It has nothing to do with my passport. I feel a connection to the [11:05] players. I feel a connection to the country. And that was maybe the most important. And I think the [11:12] people who gave me in the end the responsibility felt that connection. And from there we go. [11:18] All right. My question is to Mark. Hi, Mark. My name is Steve and I'm a journalist all the way from Kenya. [11:23] Me and you kind of share a similar story. This is my first World Cup. This is your first World Cup, [11:28] just that you're on the spotlight and I'm not. My question is when you made your debut, I was just [11:33] looking at your story, playing for Cray Wanderers and making through all the way, having come from Ivory [11:38] Coast at one all the way to finally making your debut on the biggest of stage. [11:42] And the expectation of what you imagine playing at the biggest stage of football match it. And how did you feel [11:48] at that moment? And just what would be your message to kids around just growing up, looking at your [11:54] story and having hope that one day they're going to make it to this grandest of football stages? Thank you. [11:59] So is Steve? Steve was your name? Yeah. So now we're both here. It's not just me. [12:04] I wouldn't say it's a dream come true because to be honest, I never expected to ever be in this [12:13] position. Every single day is a dream and more than a dream. So, you know, to be in this position [12:20] is a lot of responsibility. I feel like I have a lot of responsibility, not just to myself and my [12:25] family, but, you know, for those around the world that potentially do have this dream and want to, [12:30] you know, achieve something that I've been able to achieve is just playing the World Cup. And, [12:35] you know, you know, for those looking out at me right now, I think it's important that they know [12:39] that it's more than possible that if I'm here, you know, that they have even more of a chance [12:45] to be here and do far more than I ever will. Thomas. Thomas over here. Hi. Good luck tomorrow. [12:54] Declan Rice is obviously on a booking risk of suspension with that feature in your thinking. [13:01] Yes and no. I think he's experienced enough to handle it, but we are aware of it. He has a yellow card, [13:09] so if he starts tomorrow and normally I always want Declan on the pitch, so then he needs to manage [13:17] that. And I think he's able to manage that. Kerry. Thomas, you targeted this game as maybe the [13:24] chance that you could start Bukayo Saka at the start of this tournament. Has the timing that you've [13:31] brought him into matches allowed for that? And is this a chance for Marcus Rashford to start as well? [13:36] Yeah, everyone can start. I mean, that's the that's just the type of players that we have in camp. [13:44] Everyone can start. They are all regular starters and and key players for their clubs on every position. [13:50] The difficult thing for us is we cannot start everyone every match, so they have to they have to be ready [13:57] and they have to fulfill a new role, which is new for them, but everyone does to the highest level. For Bukayo, it was [14:06] I think the exactly right thing. We agreed with Bukayo and especially with the medical department and in [14:14] very tight cooperation with with Arsenal that this is the way to build him up. He is now since many days fully free of pain, [14:23] fully free of discomfort and is ready to go and and ready to start like Marcus, like Anthony, like Nonny. [14:32] There's a lot of options and yeah, the player make it difficult [14:37] for me to take to take a choice and but we have the full choice tomorrow. [14:42] Okay, I don't see any of the raised hands. Oh, one at the end here. [14:48] As somebody who's joined Manchester City recently, have you spoken to Elliot, [14:52] given him any advice about what to expect? [14:55] To be honest, I wasn't even aware of anything to do with transfers. I've only found out now today. [15:03] To be honest, I think Elliot's just a fantastic person, fantastic player and whoever acquires him [15:10] will be grateful for sure. Okay, Andre, I think we're done. I think we're finished. Yeah, all concluded. [15:22] If no more question, takes your time. Thank you very much. Good luck tomorrow. [15:30] Thank you. And we conducted all the press conferences for today. [15:32] See you tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you.