Thomas Tuchel has reaffirmed his commitment to selecting Manchester City players for international duty, even if the club faces relegation due to a breach of Premier League spending regulations. Speaking ahead of England’s Nations League match against Croatia, Tuchel acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty surrounding City’s future but emphasized that team selection would be based on performance rather than the club’s league status.

Manchester City is currently under scrutiny for violating financial rules, a situation that could result in either expulsion from the Premier League or a significant points deduction, potentially leading to relegation. This uncertainty has created concern among some City players, including England internationals Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi, both of whom could feature in the match against Croatia.

Tuchel, who is managing England for the Nations League fixture, said he understands the players’ anxieties amid the controversy. He noted that the players, described as young and ambitious, have been discussing the issue extensively but have remained focused during training sessions. “It’s a big subject,” Tuchel said, adding that these concerns are a natural human reaction to the situation.

The coach acknowledged that City players receive significant outside attention and feedback related to the case, which sometimes comes up during team gatherings such as breakfast. Despite the distractions, Tuchel maintained that he selects the best possible squad for each occasion and would not exclude players solely based on their club’s league position.

“They’re told they are totally innocent and don’t know what’s going on,” Tuchel explained, highlighting the players’ perspective amid the ongoing probe. While the controversy around Manchester City continues to develop, the focus for Tuchel remains on assembling a competitive England side for international fixtures.

The Nations League game against Croatia is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time and will be broadcast live on ITV1.