We have our own goals – Thomas Tuchel focused but ‘well aware’ of club concerns

Thomas Tuchel appreciates club managers’ concerns about players at this crucial stage of the season but says his focus is on England’s targets ahead of their second World Cup qualifier in four days.

Having managed Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain and Chelsea, the 51-year-old is tasting life on the international side of the fence for the first time.

Tuchel is preparing to host Latvia on Monday after starting his England reign with a 2-0 win against Albania and pondering how best to juggle the turnaround while maximising time with the group.

The German admits he would have preferred players not to play in back-to-back internationals when a club coach, but the shoe is now on the other foot.

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“I know that this window, this camp, is where the clubs play a very crucial time of the season,” Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. “They play for championships, they play for quarter-finals in the Champions League.

“We are very well aware of it but we have also our own goals, we have our own targets. The players are keen to play and it has to be like this.

“I always accepted it as a club manager. I never got involved in line-ups, I never pushed any national coach because I was hoping that my players get picked, I was also hoping that they are proud to play.

“Of course, you’re never happy if something happens. No-one can predict that there is no accident, but we have a World Cup qualifier and we’ll take responsible decisions.”

Tuchel says he has not heard from any managers this week about England’s players and playfully pointed out how clubs look after their own needs.

“After a 7-1 first leg and Declan Rice played the next match with Arsenal, I didn’t have the feeling that