England manager Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that playing outside the Premier League would not automatically end a player’s chances of representing the Three Lions, a position that could become particularly significant if Manchester City is forced out of the top flight.
Tuchel spoke ahead of England’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday, with Manchester City’s financial case providing an unexpected backdrop to preparations for the match.
An independent commission recently found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations covering a nine-season period from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The commission also found the club guilty of three of four alleged failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
Manchester City has denied wrongdoing throughout the case and has appealed the commission’s verdict. The club’s appeal means the case remains unresolved, while any punishment has yet to be determined. Potential consequences could include a points deduction, a fine or removal from the Premier League.
The uncertainty surrounding the club has naturally raised questions about the England players who could potentially find themselves playing outside the Premier League.
Tuchel, however, does not intend to make the division in which a player competes an automatic selection barrier.
“There is always a possibility,” Tuchel said when asked whether he would continue selecting Manchester City players if the club were relegated.
The England manager explained that his priority would remain putting together the strongest squad for each particular camp, match and tournament.
“I would always try to pick the best team for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament,” he said.
Tuchel added that he would “never rule out” a player simply because the individual was no longer playing in the top flight of their country.
“We need to look at it case by case,” he said.
That approach is significant because England have previously selected players from outside the Premier League.
James Trafford was called into Tuchel’s England squads in March and June 2025 while playing for Championship side Burnley. He did not make his senior debut during those spells, eventually winning his first England cap after returning to Manchester City.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone also represented England while playing for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship in 2021, while Kalvin Phillips earned his first England appearance while Leeds United were outside the Premier League.
For now, all of the players in Tuchel’s senior England squad are attached to clubs competing in top divisions. The current group includes Manchester City players Marc Guéhi and Elliot Anderson, while Nico O’Reilly was also selected before returning to his club after an injury.
The Football Association’s official squad announcement initially listed O’Reilly among the defenders alongside Guéhi, while Anderson was included among the midfielders. O’Reilly subsequently withdrew from the squad after suffering an injury and returned to Manchester City for further assessment.
Manchester City’s situation has already become a talking point inside the England camp.
Tuchel acknowledged that the verdict was a major subject of conversation among the players, including City’s representatives. However, he indicated that the issue had not prevented the squad from preparing for its international commitments.
The England boss also deliberately avoided presenting himself as an authority on the legal and financial aspects of the case.
“Everyone speaks about it, so there is no other voice needed,” Tuchel said, adding that he was glad not to offer his “half knowledge” on the matter.
The timing makes the issue even more intriguing for England. The Three Lions are beginning a new Nations League campaign under Tuchel following their 2026 World Cup campaign, with the manager already emphasizing competition for places.
England opened the current Nations League campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Spain at Wembley before recovering with a 2-0 victory over Czechia in Prague. They are scheduled to face Croatia in Rijeka before returning to Wembley to meet Czechia again on October 6.
For Tuchel, therefore, the message appears straightforward: club circumstances may change, but international selection will remain focused on the individual.
If Manchester City ultimately receives a punishment that takes the club outside the Premier League, its England players could face an unusual situation. They may be competing at a lower domestic level while still being considered for international football.
Tuchel’s comments suggest that such a scenario would not automatically close the door.
Instead, performance, suitability for the squad and the demands of each England assignment will remain central to his decision-making.
With Manchester City’s appeal now underway and its eventual sporting consequences still unknown, Tuchel has chosen to leave the door open rather than create a rule that could restrict his options.
