A reporter asks Thomas Tuchel if he “fears” leaving a number of world-class players out of his World Cup squad, with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer among those mentioned.

“I don’t fear, because I am very confident in the group that we chose and with which we arrived.

“[There were] very difficult decisions, painful conversations, difficult for the players, difficult to explain to the players. 

“If everyone is selected, it was a given that from these 55 players, we have to leave some extraordinary talent, some extraordinary personalities at home.”

Penalties, fitness and finishing – why did Tuchel pick surprise striker Ivan Toney?

Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney plays his football for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia now. 

He’s played a total of seven minutes of international football in the 16 months since Thomas Tuchel took charge.

It’s fair to say, he is a surprise inclusion in the squad.

What does Tuchel have to say about that?

“When it came down to all different kinds of scenarios, he was back in the picture,” he says.

“I had fantastic feedback from his coach.”

He has always had “fantastic feedback” on Toney around his ability and his fitness. 

“We could see that he still collects the numbers. I think he has very special skills that could help us.

“Meaning, the situation, the scenario when we are chasing a result, when we’re chasing a goal. I think he can be a very valuable addition to Harry Kane.

“He can be a presence in the box, when we’re pushing for a goal.

“He’s a natural finisher, he can help us with set pieces because he’s very strong in the air, very good in using his body. And not to forget, he’s a world-class penalty taker.”

Three young players to join squad for pre-World Cup training camp

Thomas Tuchel is asked if more players will join the World Cup squad at their training camp, with the Arsenal players in the squad still competing in the Champions League final next week.

The England boss confirms Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha and Fulham’s Josh King will travel to Florida to “keep the squad and the size that we need”. 

A fourth player will also join the squad, but has not been confirmed yet, Tuchel says.