Thomas Tuchel says England players have bought into his team-building ethos as his substitutes helped England in the 2-0 win against Serbia.

Thomas Tuchel has praised England players for buying into his team-building ethos, insisting that the squad is focused on collective success rather than individual glory. The German coach made a bold decision to leave out Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden for the start of England’s 2-0 win against Serbia, with the pair only making appearances as substitutes.

Bellingham and Foden were introduced in the second half, with Bellingham setting up Eberechi Eze’s 90th-minute goal. Tuchel explained that he wanted to reward the players who had impressed in England’s previous matches, and that Bellingham and Foden would have to earn their places in the starting lineup.

“It’s not about building a starting eleven, it’s about building a team,” Tuchel said. “They are all big players at their clubs; they are all disappointed when they don’t play. This is normal.”

Tuchel believes that he has created a strong sense of purpose and unity among the squad since taking charge in January. He is confident that the team’s collective mindset will ensure there are no problems with player pouting if they don’t feature in the starting lineup at the World Cup.

Tuchel’s approach has been praised by fans and pundits, who believe that he is bringing a fresh perspective to the England team. The team’s recent performances have been impressive, with a 2-0 win over Serbia and a commanding victory over Latvia, securing their place at next year’s World Cup.