Thomas Tuchel hopeful Tampa pitch will not cause England trouble vs. New Zealand

England manager Thomas Tuchel is optimistic that the newly-laid surface at Raymond James Stadium will not cause any issues for his side during Saturday’s friendly match against New Zealand. Reports had raised concerns about the pitch's condition after images revealed disjointed sections of the turf.

The photo I saw made me a little bit worried and concerned, but let’s decide when we are there. I hope it will be alright. We are told it is OK. Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel confirmed that the team remains on schedule with their preparations for the upcoming World Cup. For the match in Tampa, his strategy involves splitting the squad into two teams per half to ensure that every player receives an equal amount of playing time.

The England boss also addressed the potential for summer transfer activity among his squad. He stated that the team doctor is prepared to facilitate medicals on-site for players involved in moves, provided the process does not disrupt the squad's focus. Tuchel emphasized that while he is happy to help players achieve clarity, he will not allow transfer business to interfere with match preparation.