Thomas Tuchel reveals shock England player ‘doesn’t stand out in training’ despite how popular he is with fans
Thomas Tuchel has delivered a blunt verdict on a shock England star ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway, suggesting the Three Lions forward has failed to impress on the training pitch despite his status as a firm fan favourite.
The German manager, known for his demanding standards and meticulous approach, has made it clear that training ground performances carry more weight than reputation as England prepare for their crunch knockout fixture at Miami Stadium.
Tuchel, who took charge following Gareth Southgate’s departure, has already courted controversy with his squad selections. High-profile omissions including Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Harry Maguire, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have sparked fierce debate among supporters and pundits alike. The German has made it abundantly clear that he will not be swayed by reputation or public opinion when it comes to selecting his starting eleven for the biggest games.
Tuchel has been unafraid to publicly challenge his players since taking charge. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich boss has been filmed shouting at players during training sessions, demanding they remain “on it every single day”. His coaching methods are renowned for their intensity, with players expected to execute tactical drills with precision and full commitment at all times.
Ollie Watkins has spoken candidly about the manager’s approach, revealing: “I think he is not afraid to shout at you. He is always demanding from you and making sure you are on it every day”. The Aston Villa striker suggested the intensity reflects Tuchel’s winning mentality: “I think it just shows that he is a winner and that he is always driving the standards, making sure we are on it. That is what you need when the aim is to win a World Cup”.
The incident that brought Tuchel’s methods into the spotlight occurred when he was filmed shouting at Tottenham defender Djed Spence to “wake up” during a training session. Watkins admitted he narrowly escaped being the target himself: “It was lucky it wasn’t me. I think I made a mistake just before Djed did, but he ended up shouting at Djed, luckily”
He remains hugely popular with England supporters, who have regularly serenaded him following his heroics in previous tournaments. Described as “humble, dedicated and likeable”, he has become a cult hero among the Three Lions faithful. The 30-year-old’s journey from non-league Weston-super-Mare to the World Cup stage has endeared him to fans who appreciate his perseverance and down-to-earth character.
However, Tuchel has shown he is unafraid to make bold decisions and has previously demonstrated that reputation alone will not guarantee a place in his starting line-up. Speaking about his squad selection philosophy, the manager emphasised: “Teams win championships – it is as simple as that”.
Ollie Watkins was named in Tuchel’s 26-man World Cup squad, selected alongside Harry Kane and Ivan Toney as England’s striking options. The Aston Villa forward arrived at the tournament in red-hot form after a run of 11 goals in 12 games following his omission from an earlier squad. He has embraced a supporting role, telling reporters: “I think everyone’s crucial in this squad, the squad depth that we have, and the players coming off the bench”.
Watkins has impressed when it matters most in competitive matches, scoring in a 5-1 thrashing of MLS side Sporting Kansas City in a closed-door friendly as non-starters built fitness away from the spotlight. He explained the value of such matches: “It’s just good to get that flow of minutes into your legs, rather than just running in a straight line”.
Watkins himself has spoken openly about Tuchel’s intense coaching methods and acknowledged the manager’s high standards. He revealed: “[Tuchel is] very demanding, but when he is around the base camp he is very relaxed and chilled”.
The striker’s honesty about the incident has endeared him further to supporters, who appreciate his transparency and willingness to take responsibility. Yet it also highlights the fine margins at play in Tuchel’s training sessions, where even the smallest lapse in concentration can draw the manager’s ire.
Despite Tuchel’s concerns over his training ground displays, Watkins is fully fit and available for Saturday’s showdown at Miami Stadium. The 30-year-old has been an active participant in all sessions and is expected to be among the substitutes, ready to make an impact should England need a goal against the Scandinavian side.
Having scored 11 goals in 12 matches to force his way back into the squad, Watkins will be desperate to add to his tournament tally should he be called upon.
England booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, where Jarell Quansah’s dismissal made for a nervy finish. Tuchel praised his side’s resilience: “When things get tough, they never give up and they never lose belief. We found a way to take one more step”.
The Germany manager reserved special praise for England’s substitutes, saying they played an important role in seeing out the victory. That bodes well for Watkins, who will be hoping to make an impact from the bench against Norway.
With England’s World Cup campaign reaching its critical phase, Watkins will be hoping his match-winning ability and not just his training ground performances proves decisive in the quarter-final showdown. The Scandinavian side, led by Erling Haaland, represent a formidable challenge, and Tuchel will need every player performing at their peak if England are to progress to the semi-finals.
Whether Tuchel’s blunt assessment of the fan favourite proves justified, or whether Watkins can silence his critics with a defining tournament moment, remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the German manager’s ruthless approach to selection means no player no matter how popular with supporters can afford to take their place for granted.
