England are unlikely to make major changes against Ghana, who beat Panama 1-0 in their opening game. Declan Rice has trained after complaining of discomfort against Croatia and Bukayo Saka, who is nursing an achilles injury, has trained fully in the past two sessions.
Tuchel said he was now pain-free. Saka is still expected to start on the bench. Marcus Rashford is competing with Anthony Gordon for the left wing spot.
Tuchel must decide whether to rejig his back four. Marc Guéhi will hope to dislodge John Stones or Ezri Konsa in central defence. Djed Spence’s speed could be a useful asset against Ghana’s biggest threat, Antoine Semenyo, but Reece James will hope to start again at right-back.
A big talking point from the win over Croatia was a brutally honest half-time interview given by Tuchel’s No 2, Anthony Barry. “Everyone is speaking about this,” said Tuchel, who will not stop Barry from speaking out in future games. “I’m so happy if he does that at half-time – then I don’t have to do it.
“I’m so happy if he speaks. You see the quality. The guy is a top coach. He is an inspiration, and he pushes me, and helps me and supports me. It’s just top level.”
England arrived in Boston to heavy rain on Monday afternoon and temperatures that were a long way from being stifling. It is likely to be similar for the game – a chance of rain and temperatures of around 19C. There will nevertheless be hydration breaks in both halves, which Tuchel is plainly unhappy about.
“They interrupt and change the identity of a football match much more than I thought [they would],” Tuchel said. “Now they break the match almost into four quarters. As a coach, of course I like to have influence [during them] and have my team together.
“But overall, I like football more when it’s played in one go in one half because it builds a momentum, which is hard to keep. This just adds to the characteristics of the beautiful game and it [a hydration break] takes away [from that.] But in a point of fairness of course it makes sense that every match here gets them.”
