ENGLAND substitutes could stay in the dressing room DURING matches at the World Cup to avoid the intense heat.
Manager Thomas Tuchel, here in the United States for today’s World Cup draw, revealed that the baking-hot conditions of over 40C could see the Three Lions take extraordinary decisions.
And this would mean that some of Tuchel’s stars could wait inside the stadium before being told to head for the pitch to be introduced, something which Borussia Dortmund did at the Club World Cup.
Tuchel, preparing for next summer’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, said: “If this is what helps us later in the match when they come on, okay ,we consider that as a possibility.
“Nobody likes it as I want the players to be out here and feel the energy and give the energy from the bench onto the field.
“But I saw teams doing this and players doing this at the Club World Cup. Hopefully we can avoid it. It is always better if they can be with us.”
Tuchel, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “The heat will reduce the intensity of the match, it will reduce the intensity of the runs. Offensively and defensively.
“The matches will naturally adapt. You cannot play the same football in 45C as you can in 21C. That is as easy as that.
“We have to adapt and prepare the players and adapt to the heat. We will be on it and put a lot of effort into it and we will be ready.”
The German, whose team won all of their qualifying matches, is looking forward to the draw which will be conducted by former England defender Rio Ferdinand.
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Speaking to ITV, he said: “You dream about it because it’s huge and my personal biggest joy is to see the joy of the players, the staff and my friends and family to see how happy they are.”
Tuchel also did not want to speak about Jude Bellingham and his reaction at being subbed in the final game away in Albania.
The former Chelsea boss said: “It’s pretty clear what happened and I didn’t see it during the match. I think you understand that I’m in Washington now for the World Cup draw so the subject is not for now.”
Asked if a line had been drawn, he said: “Yes.”
