Thomas Tuchel is confident that his England players will not abuse his trust, as he granted them time off with few strings attached at the end of their pre-World Cup training camp in Florida.<\/p>\n
The manager said he was happy for them to do whatever they wanted \u2013 as long as it did not involve air travel \u2013 before they fly on Saturday to Kansas City, their base for the tournament. Tuchel oversaw a training game against the amateur club Miami United in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday before giving the players the rest of the day and Friday off.<\/p>\n
The move was in keeping with the tone of the period in Florida, which has brought hard work on the training ground and two warm\u2011up matches but plenty of downtime with family and friends. Since the players\u2019 arrival in West Palm Beach on the Monday of last week, they have been able to go out in the evenings and have not really been bothered or photographed.<\/p>\n
England defeated New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa<\/a> last Saturday before winning 3-0 against Costa Rica in Orlando<\/a> on Wednesday. The focus will narrow when they get to Kansas City before their opening World Cup group game against Croatia in Dallas next Wednesday.<\/p>\n A comprehensive 3-0 win against Costa Rica meant England\u2019s final warm-up game ended on a positive note. Photograph: Dave Shopland\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201cThe players are getting one and a half days off to relax and switch off, not only physically but mentally and then we start the next chapter,\u201d Tuchel said. \u201cThe next chapter is the group stage and I\u2019m happy that we switch location. This location has been amazing but it\u2019s good to switch the brain.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players can almost do what they want [with the free time]. For example, they can\u2019t take a flight. We said no flights because hopefully we have a lot of flights through the tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one has asked for a flight. They are adults. They are determined, as well, so the trust is not only a one\u2011way street. We expect them to live up to the trust, the responsibility, we give them. Everything I have seen of them is [that they are] a determined group who have a dream but know what it takes. I have full belief and trust that they will not gamble on that.\u201d<\/p>\n Tuchel said Jude Bellingham could play as a No 9 during the World Cup<\/a> after he used him briefly there against Costa Rica. Bellingham pushed up into the role after Tuchel introduced Morgan Rogers for Harry Kane in the 63rd minute. Bellingham was withdrawn eight minutes later but not before his mazy run and pass teed up another substitute, Eberechi Eze, for the shot that led to a penalty for handball. Anthony Gordon scored it.<\/p>\n