Thomas Tuchel’s stewardship of England has been sharp, disciplined, and utterly uncompromising.
Since taking charge on 1 January, the German has transformed the national team into a ruthless, structured machine—eight wins from nine matches, seven straight qualification victories without conceding, and a World Cup ticket punched with clinical ease.
But behind that efficiency lies a manager unafraid to make decisions that ripple far beyond the pitch.
A new report has revealed that Tuchel is deliberately excluding a well-known England international from his plans—not because of form, fitness, or tactics, but due to a clash of principles.
According to the Daily Mail, Tuchel “steadfastly refuses to select” the unnamed senior player, believing he would “expect to play every game” and disrupt the environment the coach is working to build. When staff members suggested the player might adapt, Tuchel cut the conversation short:
“Not in this instance. I don’t want him with us.”
A statement as cold as steel, and just as intentional.
Tuchel’s Stance on Spence Highlights His Standards
Tuchel’s approach is becoming a theme. In his latest press conference, he criticised Djed Spence after witnessing the Tottenham defender and teammate Micky van de Ven walk past Brentford boss Thomas Frank without acknowledgment following a league defeat.
“Yeah, I didn’t like it,” Tuchel said, stressing that England internationals are representatives of the squad every single day, not only during the days spent in camp.
Spence’s actions may not have occurred in an England shirt, but the message was unmistakable: Tuchel demands behaviour that matches the badge—always.
Tuchel has already shown he is willing to drop high-profile names. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden both spent time out of the squad before earning their return.
Meanwhile, Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, Djed Spence, and Elliot Anderson have all been drafted in, with Anderson emerging as a likely starter for the World Cup next summer.
Whatever the identity of the unnamed excluded star, one truth stands firm: under Thomas Tuchel, the England squad will be shaped not just by talent, but by temperament—and he has no hesitation in enforcing that line.
