England have been practising penalties ahead of their World Cup campaign (Image: Getty)
Thomas Tuchel has put his England players on notice that they may need to triumph in not one, but two penalty shoot-outs if they are to get their hands on the World Cup trophy. The England boss has already had his squad drilling spot kicks in preparation for the high-stakes drama of a shoot-out this summer.
Tuchel has made his expectations crystal clear to the players in group meetings and individual conversations ahead of potential knockout ties in the tournament. His backroom team have pored over statistics, research and various other factors in the build-up to the World Cup, concluding that England could realistically face two shoot-outs should they go all the way.
While it is far from an exact science, the expanded 48-team tournament features an additional knockout round, and the sweltering weather conditions could also produce tighter matches more likely to end level.
England rounded off their behind-closed-doors training session against Miami FC on Thursday with a shoot-out practice, and Tuchel already has proven penalty specialists at his disposal, including Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka.
Tuchel even cited Toney’s inclusion in the squad as being partly down to the striker having scored in a shoot-out against Switzerland at the last Euros, as well as his outstanding technique from the spot.
England endured a torrid history in shoot-outs, suffering three successive defeats in 1990, 1998 and 2006 before finally breaking their duck by beating Colombia on penalties in 2018.
However, following their defeat on penalties in the Euro 2021 final, Tuchel is convinced England will face further nerve-shredding moments in this tournament and he is determined to ensure his side are fully prepared.
England’s coaching staff have also analysed data suggesting it is highly likely that only 21 players will actually see action during the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel believes his players may need to win two shoot-outs (Image: Getty)
The unfortunate five likely to miss out are expected to include two reserve goalkeepers, which is why Tuchel was keen to select reliable squad members and good tourists such as Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn.
England are now preparing for their opening World Cup Group stage clash against Croatia next Wednesday, with Jude Bellingham the favourite to line up in the No 10 role.
Bukayo Saka is hopeful of being declared fit, while Ezri Konsa and John Stones caught the eye as a central defensive partnership during the victory over Costa Rica.
Set-pieces were amongst the key areas practised during their behind-closed-doors session against Miami FC, an informal affair played across two 25-minute halves. Tuchel firmly believes that free-kicks and corners could prove decisive throughout this World Cup.
Bukayo Saka is hopeful of being declared fit, while Ezri Konsa and John Stones caught the eye as a central defensive partnership during the victory over Costa Rica.
Set-pieces were amongst the key areas practised during their behind-closed-doors session against Miami FC, an informal affair played across two 25-minute halves. Tuchel firmly believes that free-kicks and corners could prove decisive throughout this World Cup.
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