The Three Lions take on Croatia on Saturday, but the build-up to the Nations League clash has been overshadowed by the news that City have been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules.
Possible sanctions range from fines and points deductions to stripping their trophies away or even expulsion from the Premier League.
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Should the latter occur, City would be expected to bounce back quickly, but it remains to be seen if the players would be willing to stick around and play in the lower divisions, especially with major international tournaments like Euro 2028 on the horizon.
It is incredibly rare to see an EFL player make the England squad, but addressing the matter in his pre-match press conference, Tuchel said: ‘There’s always a possibility.
‘I think I will always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament and I will never rule out that they don’t play in the top flight in their country.
Man City’s Marc Guehi is arguably England’s best defender (Photo: Getty)
‘So, you need to look at this case-by-case.’
Tuchel picked three Citizens in his latest Three Lions squad, namely Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly, though the latter has since pulled out through injury.
There are two other England internationals in the current City team – Phil Foden and Rico Lewis – as well as Jack Grealish who is on loan at Everton.
Elliot Anderson has become a key player under Tuchel (Photo: Getty)
The last player to represent England while playing outside of the top-flight was then-West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in 2021.
Confirmation that City had been found guilty was announced on Tuesday just hours before England beat Czech Republic 2-0, with Tuchel and his players unable to properly comment on the matter.
The German manager has now admitted that it is a ‘big topic in the camp’, adding: ‘We had some time off and some time between the matches, and it’s a big subject.
Non top-flight players who played for England this century
David James (West Ham, 2003)
David Nugent (Preston, 2007)
Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff, 2010)
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, 2012)
Jack Butland (Stoke, 2018)
Sam Johnstone (West Brom, 2021)
‘But everyone speaks about it. There is no other voice needed to add to all this. So I’m glad to not be that voice. No one needs my half-knowledge on the topic.
‘Of course, the players talk about it. Of course, City players talk about it, and we talk with them, but only briefly.
‘They’re ready to go for tomorrow. That’s what they show on the pitch, and that’s what they show in camp. But of course, it’s a big topic. It’s a big topic in camp.’
