Tuchel urges England to keep intensity for Ghana clash

England manager Thomas Tuchel warned his squad that the same intensity shown in the second‑half comeback against Croatia must be maintained for the World Cup second‑round match against Ghana in Foxborough. He stressed that the team cannot afford the historic pattern of easing after an opening win.

Tuchel has repeatedly used the phrase “walk the talk” to describe the need for consistency in selection, man‑management and player interaction. He praised the squad after the 4‑2 victory over Croatia, saying they were “much more active and aggressive”, the level of intensity he wants to see in the pubs.

The England camp has combined high‑intensity training with a relaxed atmosphere, featuring backgammon games, country‑music playlists and a baseball pitch ceremony. Defender Dan Burn even dressed up as Garth Brooks, illustrating the light‑hearted side of the Kansas City base.

Tuchel expects Ghana to dominate possession and rely on swift counter‑attacks, noting their physicality and speed as key threats. In Ghana’s recent 1‑0 win over Panama, eight players recorded top speeds of 30 km/h, with Antoine Semenyo covering 324.5 m at at least 25 km/h, highlighting his danger.

The manager warned that complacency must be avoided, stating “It is our job to not be complacent … the players know that hard work is needed”. He added that the training session was “very tense and on a high level”, and the 19‑degree, rainy conditions for kickoff should suit England’s intensity.

Outside the pitch, attention will also focus on midfielder Thomas Partey, who is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court next year after being charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. Partey has denied all allegations.