World Cup: Thomas Tuchel & Declan Rice ahead of Ghana match

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1:06Discover the V-Series line-up at cadillac.com. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Football Daily Podcast with John Murray. Hello from rainy Massachusetts, ahead of England's second match at this World Cup, which is against Ghana. It's going to be played in the home of the New England Patriots, just outside Boston, and if England win, they will be going through to the knockout stage as group winners. Paul Robinson is with me, 41 caps for England, played at the World Cup. We'll be together in the stadium. I've been there. You've not been there yet. The weather's interesting. It absolutely poured down today, and where we sit, there's no cover, and rain is forecast for match day.

1:54Yeah, I don't think our listeners will be too worried about me and you, John, so long as we don't sit too close to the electric sockets, I think we might be okay. It's all about the team, and I think it's, you know, with the weather as it is, I think it's a blessing for the England squad because, you know, when you look around at the different conditions, we've seen games delayed for the weather. We've seen the heat conditions in different areas. England were very fortunate to play in the air conditioning of Dallas in the first game, but actually here, it's almost like home, isn't it, mid-season?

2:22It's 20, 22 degrees. I flew up here from Atlanta after covering the Spain-Saudi Arabia game and arrived and I was very surprised with the temperature. Very, very mild and as you say, very dull overcast, which I think that will help England. Me too. So we will be bringing you the commentary on Five Live. The match is also going to be live on BBC television. Presently, we're going to hear from Thomas Tuchel and Declan Rice, who I spoke to at the stadium. And as we'll hear from Declan Rice, Harry Kane has spoken to the squad about the importance of getting this match won and the positive spin-offs of that further into the tournament for England potentially.

3:02But first of all, Paul, what about the team selection for Thomas Tuchel? Is he going to go the same team again, do you think? I wouldn't be surprised if he change it. I think there's two decisions that he's got to make. There was question marks over Esri Konza and John Stones and Mark Gay. obviously we all thought six months ago that it was going to be Mark Gay plus one other and it actually didn't turn out to be that in the first game England did look defensively susceptible at times so that's a decision that he's got to make again but we talked about that before the first game and Anthony Gordon for me I thought he was exceptional in the first two games the warm-up games and the outlet that they used was Madiweke on the right hand side and I thought Gordon had a quiet game and I thought the substitutes that came on Marcus Rashford I thought he was excellent and he had an impact.

3:48All the substitutes that Thomas Tuchel made all had an impact. And I think they've all made a case for a start. When you look at the way that they played on the front foot and the attacking style that they've got, and then you realise that he's not afraid to use his squad. He trusts his players. I mean, Jed Spence was a player that came on that we didn't expect to see at any point early in the tournament, if you like, unless there was an injury or a suspension to somebody. and he came on and I thought he had possibly one of the biggest impacts of the substitutes. He had a golden opportunity when he went through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

4:22His pace and power down that right-hand side. Thomas Tuchel's spoken about him being the fastest player in the squad and then we've also seen him being able to rotate within the game. We saw Jude Bellingham start as a 10, then dropped into the 6. He left the field. Rhys James went from right-back to then go into the 6 to allow Jed Spence to come on. He's got so many options. I think his two big decisions are on the left-hand side and at centre-back, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does mix it up because he trusts his players, which is a good thing. Well, you did say that everyone is fit, and on Bukayo Saka, Thomas Tuchel said that he's not feeling any pain, and he has trained for the last couple of days, full training, in advance of the Ghana match, and he actually used the phrase he's ready to go about Bukayo Saka.

5:08So we'll see about the team selection, but let's hear now from Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, just about how things have been since the win against Croatia? Mood-wise, it was easy because we had a deserved win and a good match and a lot of stuff we can build on. We had some stuff to improve. We had three training sessions and before that, a day off. Quite a long period within a tournament, but we feel ready to go tomorrow. Everyone is available. Then the tournament becomes more condensed for us. What did you think when you had a look back at the match? I know you always seem to see different things.

5:46No, I think we were, overall we deserved to win. We had a good reaction to adversity, meaning to the both goals that we conceded. Both reactions were very good. One goal was with the last shot of the first half, which is kind of an awkward moment. But we responded with the best 25, half an hour of the match. so the reaction to adversity was very good. We want to not spend so much time in a deep block that we did, and we had a little bit too much ball losses after ball wins, so we need to take care of that, because our opponent waits exactly for that to start counter-attack, so we need to take care after ball wins to secure the ball better.

6:33These were the key things to improve, but overall commitment, team spirit, energy and also quality was there. Do you think you've got a little bit of something going like you did in the autumn around those qualifiers? It felt a bit like that, especially in the second half when we went for it and played with more courage and the energy. So this helps obviously because we are here to win and win helps like nothing else. Now we said, let's learn from a win. It's a short period of time, it's a short tournament. There's quite an incentive, isn't there, to win this in terms of the third group match?

7:16Well, it's always important. We try everything tomorrow, but we should also respect the opponent. I still think that we have a very difficult group to play in. Now that we saw Ghana play and saw Ghana with a new coach in the friendly against Wales, It's just a lot of quality and a very, very solid defensive block and very, very difficult encounter attacking. A very physical team with a lot of talent. So, like I said, I still believe that we play in a very difficult group. They got their win with a very late goal. So, yeah, it's an important match. So, there we are, the England manager, Thomas Tuchel.

7:53I thought quite interestingly talking about that feel and the vibe, if you want to call it that, being similar to how it was in the autumn qualifiers. I think you can see that from the players and you can see the response that he got from the players. I think the togetherness, the unity, and I think the most standout thing, other than the performance and the result, after the game, there was a lot of talk about Jude Bellingham coming into this tournament, would he, wouldn't he, etc. But actually, Jude Bellingham was very open and honest in his post-match interviews, as was the manager, as was Harry Kane and others in the squad, and they didn't get too high.

8:28They were quite happy with what they'd done, but they knew that the job was still to be done. But they spoke about a unity, about a togetherness and about a team. And Thomas Tuchel spoke about individuals and it's not about individuals, it's about the team. And I think that's a real thing that he's brought to this. Gareth Southgate did that initially and I like what he did. You know, the way that he handled his players, the way that he managed his players. But with Thomas Tuchel, he's kind of taken, he's done that as well, but taken the shackles off them. They've got this attack in freedom. And I think one thing with Tuchel, he plays a system that suits individual players.

9:02He knows how to get the best out of his players. He won't play a player out of position just to get him in the side because he thinks he's a good player. I think he's a very intelligent manager that he plays a system that almost works for every single individual that's on the field. And the players like that and the players get it. And if we get a performance like we did against Croatia, against Ghana, there's a lot of positives. and we can look forward to a very interesting, long, hopefully, tournament. And they want to take up from where they left off against Croatia in the second half. There was a great quote from when he was speaking to the wider media today.

9:37He quoted the famous conductor Herbert von Karajan, who said when he was talking about conducting, he said, don't disturb the music. You're not going to ask me about that. I'm not going to ask you about Herbert von Karajan, but you get the gist don't you don't disturb the music if you've got a little bit of something good going then keep it going and I think the thing that you can look at and it's a phrase and a term that I used in commentary as an England team at times we've been very guilty of defending our weaknesses rather than playing to our strengths and you look at the plethora of attacking quality that we've got, the players that we've got the individual talent that we've got as well as the collective talent it's in the attacking third yes of course we've got a good goalkeeper we've got a good defensive system but at times susceptible but they showed against Croatia that going forward and attacking is the best form of defence don't defend what you're not good at do and concentrate what you're good at and it was a perfect example of that The other news is Declan Rice is absolutely fine I don't think there's anything to worry about we're going to hear from him in a moment but Declan Rice, Premier League winner Champions League runner-up last season Arsenal's Player of the Year for a second season running.

10:54And it always is interesting to hear from Declan Rice, and this is what he had to say. I've trained every day since the last game, so I'm managing it well, it's all good. And with someone who plays as many matches, there's probably always something, isn't there? Yeah, exactly. I think if you asked any player who's played this amount of games, you're never going to get through them feeling 100 % always. That's just the job we're in, and that's the way we play the game. So, yeah, look, the main thing is I'm fit, I'm ready to go and I feel good. What's it been like the last few days since the Croatia match compared to the feeling and the mood that you've had at other tournaments?

11:30Yeah, positive. I think every tournament I've been at, after the first game, you always want to get off to a good start. That's the key, and we did that. And we've just followed on in terms of the vibes we've had in the camp since we got here, to be honest with you. Everyone's been calm, everyone's been energetic on the other hand. Training sessions have been really good, downtime's been really good. So, yeah, we've been relaxed. We've been good. Ramped it up the training the last two days, focusing on Ghana because we know they're a strong team. So, yeah, it's important tomorrow we go out and put on a performance.

11:58Yes, they've got dangers, haven't they, obviously? Very good dangers, very good players, strong players. I obviously know a lot of their players. So, yeah, we need to be on it tomorrow. You know, there's no easy games. If you've been watching this World Cup, which most people have, you will see there's been some shock results. And some of the teams that you probably don't doubt to get a result, get a result. and you need to be on it from the first whistle tomorrow. So, yeah, we need to be on it. And you know from tournaments the value of getting your qualification from the group done early, don't you?

12:27Which can be done here. 100 % I think Harry spoke well about that earlier before training, just saying how important it is for us and how the rest of the week can look if we win. We put ourselves in a really good position and obviously then going to the Panama game, knowing that we've qualified, but also knowing that we want to make the group three out of three. so we need to build on from what we did the other night in the second half and I'm sure you're going to see that. And arriving here you found rain and quite cool conditions actually which might be the case again for the match. Yeah, I've seen that, I've seen the conditions.

13:03Obviously so far we've played in one indoor with Aircon which wasn't too hot in Dallas and then obviously we've just been outside now it's raining, there's no roof, pitch is really good so it could feel like we're in the UK to be honest which would be handy So, yeah, let's wait and see. And, yeah, I think if it does rain, you know, that will be good for us. You've been coping with hot conditions in the time that you've been here. You probably know that at home everyone is absolutely sweltered. What would your advice be for them back home in hot, hot conditions? In hot conditions now at home? Yeah.

13:38Well, knowing Brits and knowing English people, when the sun comes out, everyone gets excited, doesn't they? So probably don't drink too much and take it easy. So yeah, just enjoy it. And so it's obviously going to be a big night again. You see the reaction the other night. We all see the videos as players, what it means back home to people in the pubs, watch-alongs with all their friends. So yeah, it's a special time to play and hopefully we can make them happy again. And one other thing, I noticed you've got the Arsenal Player of the Year award again, which I was interested to see who got that.

14:11You must be chuffed with that. Yeah, obviously I'm delighted to get it. you know you can't take their moments for granted massive thank you for the fans obviously voting me for player of the season again it's obviously an honour but I do have to say that it could have gone to David Ray or Gabriel as well they obviously finished second and third but I think without them this season nowhere we would have been Premier League champions so yeah I think even though I've won it I'll probably share the award just as much in my own mind with them it's just because of how good they're and how important they've been this season So there we are, England midfielder Declan Rice who I thought, you know, talking about how Harry Kane has spoken to the squad about the importance of winning the second match so in the recent tournament, the last three tournaments World Cup, European Championship, England have drawn the second match and if they can win this one the knock-on effect of that is that Tuchel could potentially make wholesale changes for the Panama match, the final group match Yeah, and I think he will.

15:14He will do that if the result is favourable for England. But I also think on the other side of that, that momentum is key. I think you take that performance against Croatia and you take the result. You don't want to dip in performance in the Ghana game. You want to take that on and you want to win every game. You know, momentum is key in a tournament. And if you can continue winning games, it's not a bad habit to be. But as you say, that second game has been pivotal recently for England in recent big tournaments. but I think in any tournament or in any league situation if you can get into a habit of winning games you're going to be in a very good place because we've seen teams win major tournaments in the past that haven't necessarily kicked into gear in the early stages we've seen teams win tournaments that have lost their first game that have qualified sluggishly and gone on to go deep into tournaments but I really do believe in momentum and carrying that through the tournament Just a word on Garner who might have Thomas Partey back in the team tomorrow.

16:12An interesting front line, isn't it? Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas Asante and Jordan Ayou. I mean, that's a real mix, isn't it? No, they've got players who can hurt England in the offensive positions without a shadow of a doubt. Semenyo, for me, one of the players of the season in the Premier League. And I think when you look at Ghana's recent record, they don't score too many goals. When you talk about those players, they do sit in a low defensive block and they're a hard team to beat. I mean, they squeezed past Panama in the last game, a very late goal past the 90th minute mark. They're going to be a difficult team to break down, but they will pose an offensive threat on the counter attack.

16:50I think we'll see them play a deep line defensive line and try and hold England to a goalless draw at some point. But then they're going to have to have an attacking threat. I think England's biggest thing will be patience. use the creativity that they've got and try and break this Ghana defence down but as you say they have got very good attacking players under Carlos Quiroz who's managing at his fifth World Cup in a row and also Ghana I think the point should be made in terms of the 48 teams who came to this World Cup only four teams are further down the world rankings than Gardner but as Thomas Tuchel was saying clearly they will not be underestimated so very good, excellent So for anyone listening who's coming, might be listening to us in Massachusetts, make sure you bring a coat with you.

17:40Do join us if you're not when we will be in the New England Patriots Stadium for the commentary on England against Ghana, which kicks off at nine o 'clock BST. It is live on Five Live, live on BBC One as well. And actually, this is a match where you can listen to the Five Live commentary alongside the BBC TV pictures, if you desire, on the red button or the iPlayer. But that is it for us. As I say, we'll be in the stadium next time you hear from us. And next on the Football Daily Feed, it is Rick and Lloyd from California.

18:19The 2023 Ballon d 'Or France footballer is Lionel Messi. The winner is Cristiano Ronaldo. This is the story of the greatest rivalry in the history of sport. A rivalry that split football into two fates for a generation. There could be no, oh, Messi and Ronaldo are both great players. There had to be one that was better. They 100 million percent pushed each other to the next level. You know, we were the lucky ones who got to see it. I'm Steve Crossman. This is Sporting Giants Messi v Ronaldo. Listen first on BBC Sounds. Take the leash off your laptop with the processor that gives you long battery life.

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