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England manager Tuchel 'won't get caught up in experiments' in World Cup qualifiers

Tuchel confirms Stones has left the squad and reveals "there is no curse on English teams"
Tuchel confirms Stones has left the squad and reveals "there is no curse on English teams"Toby Shepheard / AFP / AFP / Profimedia
England manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken to the media ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

This will be the eighth meeting between England and Andorra, with the Three Lions having won all seven of their previous fixtures, scoring 26 goals and conceding zero.  

England progressing well

Tuchel will be hoping for another win here, as he first spoke on how happy he is with the progress his side has made so far in preparation. 

"I did not think so much about where I want to be, but I am happy with where I am at the moment. There was a lot of learning for us and for me personally in the first two camps.  

“We had an excellent camp three until now, but as you know, it's never about what you did and it's always about what you do in the moment and to go forward, progress and get better. 

"We have a very important training session today to get ready for the match on Saturday, but I am happy where I am and I am happy where the team is, and we can feel a change in attitude as we arrive in the World Cup season."

Pressure from other England sides?

Tuchel was then asked if he feels the pressure from the success of other England teams such as the U21’s and women’s sides who have won multiple trophies. 

"No. If it is something, then it is a good omen, and I was so happy for Sarina (Wiegman) and Lee (Carsley) because they made it and they made an extraordinary effort and a huge success with back-to-back victories.

"It is possible (to win a trophy with England), there is no curse on English teams and it is a good omen and we will do our very best to follow their example." 

John Stones is out

He then confirmed some unfortunate news that Manchester City defender John Stones has left the England camp as he looks for a replacement, which will likely come over the next few days. 

"Unfortunately John Stones just left. He came with minor muscle issues to the camp and did not progress as we thought and hoped he would, so he left the camp this morning because we will not take the risk with him, not against Andorra or Serbia

"Everyone else is available. We had 21 players yesterday in training and 21 players today in training and we just need to make sure everyone is available for tomorrow." 

Kane will start

Tuchel also opened up on experimenting with his side and whether Bayern Munich striker and England top scorer Harry Kane will start in this weekend's clash.

"Yes. He starts. There is no balance, the competition is on and it is World Cup season.  

"We have a condensed camp and that means we will start with the team that we trust and the best team possible and we will manage the second game. We will not do it backwards. 

"We will not get caught up in experiments and everything that counts is today and tomorrow and then we will do our assessment after the match to see who is available.

Loftus-Cheek will always be in the frame

Finally, he spoke on AC Milan star Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who hasn't played for England for almost seven years and will get a chance to prove his worth over the next week.

"It was always a pleasure to work with him and I am very happy that I had the chance to call him up. He is a nice guy to be around, very friendly and very polite with a good sense of humour.

"He is full of qualities and sometimes I don't think he is aware of how good he is and how good he can be, but he fits in seamlessly because of his character and his quality and he competes for a place in central midfield and it is good to see that he is fit and not injured.

"If he stays healthy, he is always in the frame to make an impression on the international level."