Thomas Tuchel has defended his England squad selection despite being left with no natural right-backs after Reece James suffered a “minor” hamstring injury, claiming that “no one saw it coming”.
The Three Lions boss confirmed reports that the Chelsea star has not trained the past two days and will miss the next two games after picking up the issue this week.
England face Panama in New Jersey on Saturday with qualification for the round of 32 already secured and can top the group with a win. Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice have been declared fit to play after recovering from minor issues.
James has a history of hamstring problems and missed most of the final two months of the season after hurting his hamstring against Newcastle United in March.
Tuchel claims that the injury was unforeseen as James came into the World Cup in “good shape and felt very good”, adding that it was “unlucky”. He believes the player will play again in the tournament and is hopeful he may even be available for the next round.
“Nobody could see it coming, Reece was in good shape.”
Thomas Tuchel defends England squad selection after Reece James injury blow
“Reece has a minor hamstring issue, a minor hamstring injury,” the German coach revealed in his pre-match press conference.
“He was not able to train the last two days. He is now in an accelerated rehabilitation programme and we take it game by game but we strongly believe he will be available for us in the tournament.”
Tino Livramento had been called up as the backup option at right-back, but the Newcastle United player had to pull out of the squad with a calf injury he sustained ahead of England’s opening match against Croatia.
Tuchel drafted in Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah to replace Livramento, overlooking Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. He believes Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jarell Quansah can cover at right-back, while Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Spurs left-back Djed Spence can also fill in on that side.
“The thinking, we called Trevoh Chalobah up to free up Jarell Quansah on the right full-back position,” Tuchel explained.
“I saw him very strong playing that position for Liverpool and he played in a back three which is not so far away from that position, for Leverkusen. And we have Djed Spence.
“No one could see that coming. Reece was in good shape and felt very good. It is unlucky. Ezri Konsa has played that position for us as well on a high level, still no problem.
“Reece is a key player; we would love to have him available. We will find solutions, that’s what we do. It is a short period of time, it is a tournament, that is what we will do.”
Asked if he is happy with his options for the Panama game, Tuchel replied: “Yes I am, because I selected the team. We are happy. We are happy with the characteristics of the players and the strengths that they give us. Elliot Anderson was in full training today and Declan Rice was in full training today. They felt, both they had minor issues after the match. Everyone except Reece James is available and ready to go. We will take the decision tonight.
“We have hopes for the next match (for Reece James). It may be a tight one but he didn’t travel with us.”
“Nobody could see it coming, Reece was in good shape.”
