England national football team coach Thomas Tuchel plans to step up set-piece preparation during the international break so his team can build an advantage for the World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
„The Three Lions“ They face Uruguay and Japan in friendlies over the next few days, their final fixtures before England travel to North America in the summer.
In 2018, Tuchel's predecessor Gareth Southgate's team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia, and set pieces were key in many of the knockout games.
The German has revealed that he is ready to introduce new tactics such as long passes and long touches into the penalty area to keep up with current trends in the English Premier League, where most of his players play.
“We are in an era in the Premier League where set pieces, free kicks, corners and touches are very highly valued. That is the reality and it is part of the game in England, perhaps more than in other leagues. "It's part of the game and even if I mentioned set pieces many times today, they're not the main part of our approach. However, they have to be part of it, especially in a knockout tournament," Thomas Tuchel said, quoted by DPA.
"We have to come up with a good plan on how to defend, how to attack in set pieces and use it to our advantage. It has to be now, in the last games before the World Cup. Towa has to be on our minds - how to change games, how to influence them, how to gain an advantage. That's the way," the coach explained.
England's March training camp began on Tuesday at St George's Park, where 24 players took part in training after a 128-day break without international matches. Despite the four-month period without training with his players, Tuchel insists it has not taken away from his coaching skills.
“I hope not! I'm excited to be back together. It's very different compared to club football. I think coming to “Wembley” gives you an advantage. "I feel the advantage when I watch matches in the stadium and I will be there to motivate the team against Uruguay and then against Japan, and in the United States I will fight for the best results for my team," said the German specialist.
Thomas Tuchel's team hosts Uruguay on Friday in the English capital, and the match against Japan will be on Tuesday (March 31).
Everton midfielder James Garner said he is ready to win a trophy with the England national team after becoming European champion with the country's under-21 team in 2023, Reuters reported.
Garner has received his first call-up for England and could make his debut on Friday when the team hosts Uruguay in a friendly or four days later in the match against Japan. Coach Thomas Tuchel has said he will field two different teams for the two tests.
"For me personally, it's one of the best feelings ever - winning the European Championship with the under-21s. Now I want to take it one step further," Garner told reporters. "I think I'm having a really good season and I'm lucky to be called up. I just need to keep up my form and show everyone what I can do by getting into the final squad," he added.
The 25-year-old earned the accolade for his performances at Everton under David Moyes, who are eighth in the table. "I think since he came in (Moyes) not only me but the whole club has improved so that's a testament to his work," Garner added.