Why is Declan Rice not in the England squad for the Czechia game?

Tuchel accepted that Rice needed rest, citing a heavy workload built up over several seasons and fitness issues, so the Arsenal midfielder was left out. Rice watched the defeat by Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

Who do England play next in the Nations League?

England travel to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday, their second match of the current international window.

What did Thomas Tuchel say about resting England players?

He described the idea of players or clubs picking and choosing matches as madness, and said he does not take calls from Premier League managers. He also said England would go all out to beat Czechia.

What was the result of England's first Nations League match?

England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, their opening fixture of the window.

Has Thomas Tuchel named his England team for Czechia?

No line-up has been announced, and Tuchel has not said which players will come into the side in Prague.

Football

Thomas Tuchel rules out England rotation in Prague as Declan Rice misses out

England lost their Nations League opener 3-2 at home to Spain on Saturday and travel to Czechia on Tuesday.

By Sportsback2h ago

--Steindy (talk) 16:18, 29 August 2019 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Thomas Tuchel has said it would be "madness" to let England's players, or their clubs, choose which matches they play during the extended Nations League window, and he has promised to go all out for a win against Czechia in Prague on Tuesday. His position leaves no room for England to manage workloads by selection during the current window.

The England manager also said he does not take calls from Premier League managers, a remark that draws a line between club interests and his own authority over the squad. England lost their opening Nations League game 3-2 to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, so they travel to Prague without a point.

Declan Rice, England — Declan RiceArsenal · EnglandMidfielder

Declan Rice left out

The one exception Tuchel accepted is Declan Rice. The Arsenal midfielder could not be part of the squad because he needed to rest, with the manager pointing to a heavy workload across a number of seasons and well-documented fitness issues. Rice was at Wembley on Saturday to watch the defeat by Spain rather than take part in it.

Why the longer window changes the argument

The Prime Minister visits St George's Park on October 10, 2023

An extended international window gives managers more scope than usual to leave senior players out of individual matches without removing them from the squad altogether. Tuchel has ruled that approach out in principle, calling it madness, while still making a workload-based exception for one player. The distinction matters because it keeps the decision with him rather than with clubs seeking to protect their own squads.

England's task in Prague

England's second fixture of the window takes them to Czechia on Tuesday, where a home defeat in the opener has already reduced their room to manoeuvre in the competition. Tuchel's stated intention is to chase the result rather than treat the match as a chance to experiment with the line-up.

What is not yet known

England's starting line-up for Prague has not been announced.
No return date has been given for Rice, and it is not known how many matches he will miss.
The exact nature of Rice's fitness issues has not been detailed beyond workload.
It is not known which club managers, if any, have been in contact with Tuchel, or which players were raised.
No details have been given about Czechia's squad or their earlier results in the window.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Declan Rice not in the England squad for the Czechia game?: Tuchel accepted that Rice needed rest, citing a heavy workload built up over several seasons and fitness issues, so the Arsenal midfielder was left out. Rice watched the defeat by Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
Who do England play next in the Nations League?: England travel to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday, their second match of the current international window.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about resting England players?: He described the idea of players or clubs picking and choosing matches as madness, and said he does not take calls from Premier League managers. He also said England would go all out to beat Czechia.
What was the result of England's first Nations League match?: England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, their opening fixture of the window.
Has Thomas Tuchel named his England team for Czechia?: No line-up has been announced, and Tuchel has not said which players will come into the side in Prague.