Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers hailed Thomas Tuchel’s “aura” and revealed how the new England manager wants the players to feel more connected to one another ahead of the German’s first game in charge on Friday.
England host Albania in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at Wembley before welcoming Latvia to London three days later.
Rogers, who won his first England cap against Greece in November under the interim manager Lee Carsley, was named in Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad, which also includes Rogers’ Villa teammate, Marcus Rashford.
Such is the presence of the 51-year-old German manager, who has won 11 major trophies, including the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, that the dynamic midfielder said he felt compelled to wear suit and tie for his first interaction with Tuchel, a 15-minute Zoom call a few weeks ago.
“When I met him, his aura and demeanour, it is hard to explain but he has that level of confidence, that level of respect already,” said Rogers.
“You can see the way he is, the way he acts. He has been so chilled and calm. But when it is time to work, it is time to work.
“You know what he has done in the game and the respect he has got from managers and players he has worked with. You know he is coming in with some serious ideas and it is about taking it on board and learning from it.”
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Rogers revealed that communication is one area Tuchel has highlighted for improvement in the England team under his stewardship.
“It’s not going to go perfect. It was about sticking together and being together as one, and speaking to people,” Rogers said.
“Just talking and being on that same page, that makes a massive difference when you’re playing.
“I know that first-hand. Being at the clubs I’ve been at, having the leaders I’ve had in dressing rooms and on the pitch, having that person speaking to you constantly certainly helps me. It helps you get through sticky moments.”
Rogers, who has scored seven goals for Unai Emery’s side in the league this season, added that Tuchel had been “very clear and transparent” in a team meetings.
The 22-year-old said: “The main thing I took from that was about the love and commitment he wants from us within, how he wants us to be a family, how he wants us to be close and connected,”
“The presence is a bit different. Certain managers have different ways about them. Certainly his aura is one I’ve not experienced before. That’s different to what I’ve faced before.”