Tuchel: I Would Never Rule Out Picking Players Outside the Top Flight

England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he would "never rule out" selecting a player who is not currently playing in the top flight of English football, when asked about the hypothetical scenario of Manchester City being relegated from the Premier League.

The question put to Tuchel reflects ongoing speculation about the club's standing, though no formal relegation has occurred or been confirmed. Tuchel's response focused on the principle guiding his squad selections rather than on Manchester City specifically.

According to Tuchel, a player's level of performance and form would remain the determining factor in any call-up, regardless of which division their club competes in. He indicated that he keeps track of players across English football rather than limiting his attention to the Premier League alone.

Manchester City remains one of the most successful and closely watched clubs in English football, and any change to its competitive status would be a significant story for the domestic game. Tuchel did not name any specific Manchester City players in his response.

The England manager is continuing preparations for upcoming international fixtures, with a squad announcement expected in the coming weeks. Tuchel has previously said he wants to maintain a wide pool of players under consideration for the national team.