Thomas Tuchel was trying to help Djed Spence by shouting at him from the touchline during England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, says former Three Lions midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Footage circulated on social media showing the England boss repeatedly yelling his left-back’s name before telling him to ‘give and go’ with the ball.
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Tuchel certainly came across exasperated with Spence, but Wilshere thinks it has been blown out of proportion.
Wilshere says Tuchel’s approach ‘normal’
The ex-Arsenal star, now manager of League One club Luton Town, told eSPORTY Breakfast: “I think it’s quite normal. When we were growing up, we used to get screamed at, and we just took it.
“It’s kind of now gone through that period of coaching where there’s a little bit more of an arm round [a player]…
“I think it’s very individual. You know the players that you can do that to; I think you know the players that don’t need it and know when they’re probably not doing what they should be doing.
“I saw the clip from training as well when Tuchel was shouting, ‘Wake up!’ to Djed. I also saw Djed’s comments and he’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s normal; he’s a top coach; he demands a lot’.
“I think he’ll know the ones [he needs to remind]. You probably won’t see him doing that to Harry Kane, because Harry Kane knows, and it’s probably the same with Dec [Declan Rice].
“But there are certain players that can switch off; they can lose focus a little bit. That’s him trying to help Djed, so I don’t see a problem with it.”
Spence slots in to neutralise Semenyo
Tottenham’s Spence was making his first start at a major tournament, replacing Nico O’Reilly to combat the pace of Ghana talisman Antoine Semenyo.
This latest international appearance took the former Middlesbrough man to eight caps, having been handed his senior England debut by Tuchel last September.
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Spence played 65 minutes in Boston, having been at the centre of another big talking point before a ball had even been kicked.
The 25-year-old was the only England player not to shake hands with Ghana’s Thomas Partey during the pre-match formalities, following speculation over whether the Three Lions would do so amid the off-field allegations surrounding the midfielder.
Tuchel was asked about the incident in his post-match press conference but was blocked from answering.
England frustrate but can still win group
England huffed and puffed for large periods of what proved to be a hugely frustrating result on Tuesday night.
As determinedly as Ghana defended – attempting just two shots to the Three Lions’ 19 – Harry Kane really ought to have won the game, blazing over from close range late on.
Nonetheless, England still top Group L from Ghana on goal difference and will fancy themselves to advance to the Round of 32 as group winners.
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Tuchel’s team take on Panama in New York in their final group game on Saturday, with Ghana facing Croatia in Philadelphia at the same time.
