Tuchel: Man City England stars worried over verdict

Thomas Tuchel says Manchester City’s England players are worried about their futures.

The England head coach spoke on 2 October 2026 ahead of the Nations League game against Croatia. He said the verdict in City’s Premier League financial rules case is weighing on his City players, The Guardian.

The case has dominated camp talk. Tuchel described it as a major topic of conversation among the squad in the build-up to Croatia.

City were found to have breached the league’s financial rules. The club maintain their innocence and announced an appeal against the verdict on Friday.

Tuchel was blunt about what comes next. He said he would be prepared to keep picking City players even if the club were relegated — sent down to a lower division as punishment.

He was asked whether the case represented a danger to English football. The Football Association stepped in and blocked that question.

For fans, this means focus shifts to the pitch. Tuchel insisted his players are ready for Croatia despite the noise around the squad, WTOP.

There was team news too. Nico O’Reilly withdrew injured from the England camp. Jordan Pickford remains England’s No 1 and will replace James Trafford in goal against Croatia.

England sit second in Nations League Group A3 with three points from two games. The Nations League is international football’s seasonal competition, played in groups with promotion and relegation.

What makes this stand out is the human pull. Ninety minutes for England usually offer escape. This time the club worry follows the players into camp.