Tuchel open to picking lower-tier players if Manchester City face relegation

Discussions inside the England camp

England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed the disciplinary verdict against Manchester City during a press conference in Rijeka on Friday. The findings against the reigning champions have become a frequent topic among players throughout the extended international break. City defenders Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson remain with the national squad, while left back Nico O'Reilly left the camp on Thursday and returned to the club due to an injury. Tuchel acknowledged that the squad discussed the ruling during their scheduled rest periods between Nations League fixtures, though he noted that team conversations with the City players remained brief.

We had some time off and some time between the matches, and it's a big subject. Everyone speaks about it, so there is no other voice needed. I am glad to be not that voice. No one needs my half knowledge on the topic.

Commission ruling and appeal procedure

The disciplinary case concluded on Tuesday when an independent commission issued its findings regarding more than 100 alleged breaches spanning nine seasons between 2009-10 and 2017-18. The panel found that the club arranged sham contracts to inflate revenues and conceal operating costs exceeding £900 million over the nine-year timeframe. City were found guilty on nearly all 115 charges, including three of four counts related to failing to cooperate with the Premier League investigation. Manchester City lodged an appeal against the decision, maintaining their innocence and asserting that the ruling contained material errors of law, principle, and fact alongside an irrefutable body of evidence. Under accelerated Premier League rules, a confidential three-member independent panel will conduct an appeal hearing within 12 weeks, followed by a written decision within 30 days of the hearing's conclusion.

Selection policy under potential sanctions

Potential sanctions against the club have not yet been determined, though possible outcomes include substantial fines, points deductions, or expulsion from the Premier League. Previous disciplinary cases involving Everton and Nottingham Forest established that sanctions could be imposed before the full appeal process concludes. When asked whether relegation would prevent him from calling up Manchester City players, Tuchel stated that competing in a lower tier would not disqualify anyone from England contention. He explained that selections will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on player form and tournament needs rather than division rank. Phil Foden was omitted from the current squad after missing the World Cup, while Croatia's roster for Saturday includes City players Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.

There is always a possibility. I think I would 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 we need to look at this from case by case.

Nations League schedule and squad status

England face Croatia on Saturday in a Nations League fixture held behind closed doors at the stadium in Rijeka. The contest is the third of four fixtures scheduled for England during the current international window. The team opened the window with a 3-2 home loss against Spain before securing a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday, hours after the City verdict was announced. Tuchel noted that Anderson and Guehi have shown readiness in training and remain fully prepared for Saturday's match despite the ongoing attention surrounding their club.