England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed the transfer speculation surrounding some of his players, including Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, ahead of the summer window.
Rogers Attracts Interest from Top Clubs
Rogers, 23, has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool, with Villa reportedly determined to keep him. The transfer window opens on June 15, just days before England's World Cup opener.
Tuchel's 'Common Sense' Approach
Tuchel hopes any transfers for his players can be completed before the tournament to avoid distractions. He stated that deals should not be discussed on matchday minus one or on matchdays, adopting a case-by-case policy.
Anthony Gordon completed a move from Newcastle to Barcelona before the team traveled to the US, but speculation continues around Elliott Anderson (linked to Manchester City) and Marcus Rashford (linked with a return to Villa Park).
“I would not like it on a minus one and a matchday. That’s the policy,” Tuchel said. “Everything else, if quietly and privately done, we are happy to help. The best we can have is clarity.”
England faces New Zealand in a friendly today, then Costa Rica on Wednesday, before their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17. Tuchel admitted it would be ideal to have transfers settled by then but acknowledged it may not be realistic.
“If it would be possible to say ‘don’t deal with that now’, the telephone would still blow up,” he added. “We should help them handle the distraction and concentrate on their role.”
Tuchel confirmed no player has approached him about a transfer yet, but the team doctor is ready for any medicals if needed.
