Thomas Tuchel says Manchester City players are worried about futures but would still pick them if relegated

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Manchester City’s recent guilty verdict for financial rule breaches has become a major talking point inside the national camp, leaving the club's players concerned about their futures.

Speaking ahead of England’s Nations League match against Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday, Tuchel revealed that players have been discussing the situation over meals. He insisted, however, that he would still consider picking City players for the national team even if the club suffered a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League.

What is happening inside the England camp?

Tuchel described the City case as a "big subject" that inevitably dominates conversations at breakfast and dinner tables. The German manager said it is only natural for players to feel anxious when their club's future is thrown into uncertainty.

"Are they worried or concerned? I think that would be a very human reaction if you don’t know what’s going on for the club that you signed," Tuchel said. "They’re still young. They’re ambitious. They’re told they are totally innocent and don’t know what’s going on."

While City announced on Friday that they are appealing the verdict, the fallout has clearly reached the national team. Tuchel has three City players in his current squad setup: Elliot Anderson, Marc Guéhi, and Nico O'Reilly, though O'Reilly had to withdraw because of an injury.

Despite the noise, Tuchel insisted the situation has not disrupted preparations on the training pitch. "I don’t see it when I see them in my meetings," he said. "I don’t see it how they behave with other teammates, and I don’t see it in training being a distraction."

Will Tuchel still select relegated players?

The prospect of severe punishments for Manchester City, including potential relegation, has raised questions about whether their stars would remain eligible for England. Tuchel was clear that he would not automatically discard players who find themselves outside the Premier League.

"There is always a possibility," Tuchel said when asked about selecting players from lower divisions. "I would always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament. I will never rule that out because they don’t play in the top flight in their country."

While it is rare for England managers to call up players from lower leagues, there are recent precedents. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone played for England while at Championship side West Bromwich Albion in 2021, and Kalvin Phillips made his international debut before playing a top-flight game with Leeds United.

What else is happening in the team?

The Football Association stepped in during Friday's press conference to block questions on whether the Manchester City case posed a broader danger to English football.

Instead, the immediate focus remains on Saturday's Group A3 match in Croatia. England are currently second in the group with three points from their opening two matches.

Tuchel confirmed that Jordan Pickford will return in goal, replacing James Trafford. There are also decisions to make on the right flank, where Trent Alexander-Arnold is competing to keep his place ahead of Jarell Quansah after an impressive showing against Czechia.

Tuchel noted that Alexander-Arnold is still adjusting to playing alongside Bukayo Saka, challenging the Real Madrid defender to step out of his comfort zone to build a dynamic partnership.