Tuchel will not let Tampa pitch affect selection

England's national football team coach, Thomas Tuchel, has asserted that concerns over the playing surface for an upcoming friendly will not dictate his team selection. Reports from the Daily Mail highlighted that the pitch at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Buccaneers, is a newly laid 'plug and play' surface.

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will not affect my team selection

Photographs of the pitch showed it to be slightly disjointed in areas, raising questions about its suitability for international play. This is particularly relevant as several World Cup venues have had to relay grass in stadiums that typically use artificial turf. The Football Association's ground staff were reportedly in communication with the venue regarding the pitch's condition.

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I saw a photo from a journalist which made me a little bit worried and concerned, but let's decide when we are there.

Despite these reports, Tuchel expressed confidence that the situation would be manageable. "If there are any issues, we can always react to it," he stated, outlining a plan to play two complete teams for 45 minutes each to ensure equal game time. England is preparing for the match as part of their pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, with further warm-up games scheduled before the tournament's commencement.

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If there are any issues, we can always react to it. The plan is to play 45 minutes with two complete teams, to expose everyone to the same amount of minutes.

Tuchel also provided an update on his squad, noting that all players are fit and available, with some Premier League players joining to bolster numbers after recent cup finals. He specifically praised captain Harry Kane's condition, stating the striker is in "top shape" and ready to lead the team, even in the anticipated heat and humidity of the United States.

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The most important thing is the shape Harry is in. He's in top shape, he is ready to go. He was the leading player who set the intensity in training today, on a defensive training day.