England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed concerns regarding the commitment of some players to the national team following a spate of withdrawals and retirements from the current squad.
The German coach expressed unwavering confidence in his players' dedication, insisting he has no doubts about their eagerness to join up with the squad:
I would be extremely surprised if we had players without a huge desire to be in the national team's camp after last summer, especially after they've experienced the whole internal atmosphere over the past year. This doesn't concern me at all.
We are missing a number of participants from the last World Cup. Out of today's squad, only about 15 players travelled with us to the USA. Many of them are strong personalities. And you're absolutely right to note that it is largely these players who shaped our mentality, brotherhood, and team spirit.
It's important to understand that the players arrive with completely different emotional backgrounds. Some have been with us for seven weeks, and now they face yet another lengthy camp – they may feel as if a new tournament has started without any break. Meanwhile, the other nine players may be experiencing a mix of disappointment and frustration from not being called up for the World Cup, combined with excitement at the chance to prove themselves right now.
Ultimately, our main task is to quickly readjust and fully focus on what lies ahead.
