Thomas Tuchel has said Manchester City players could still represent England even if the club are relegated from the Premier League. The England manager addressed the issue in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Nations League clash with Croatia.
The build-up to the match has been overshadowed by the news that City have been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. The club have lodged an appeal, but speculation over potential sanctions is widespread.
Possible punishments and player futures
Possible sanctions range from fines and points deductions to stripping trophies or even expulsion from the Premier League. Should the latter occur, City would be expected to bounce back quickly, but it remains unclear whether players would be willing to stay and play in the lower divisions, especially with major international tournaments like Euro 2028 on the horizon.
It is rare to see an EFL player make the England squad, but Tuchel said: 'There's always a possibility. I think I will always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament and I will never rule out that they don't play in the top flight in their country. So, you need to look at this case-by-case.'
Current England players at City
Tuchel picked three Citizens in his latest Three Lions squad: Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, though the latter has since pulled out through injury. There are two other England internationals in the current City team – Phil Foden and Rico Lewis – as well as Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton.
The last player to represent England while playing outside the top flight was then-West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in 2021.
Tuchel on the topic in camp
Confirmation that City had been found guilty was announced on Tuesday, hours before England beat Czech Republic 2-0, with Tuchel and his players unable to properly comment on the matter. The German manager has now admitted it is a 'big topic in the camp'.
'We had some time off and some time between the matches, and it's a big subject. But everyone speaks about it. There is no other voice needed to add to all this. So I'm glad to not be that voice. No one needs my half-knowledge on the topic,' Tuchel said.
'Of course, the players talk about it. Of course, City players talk about it, and we talk with them, but only briefly. They're ready to go for tomorrow. That's what they show on the pitch, and that's what they show in camp. But of course, it's a big topic. It's a big topic in camp.'
