England v Senegal: Thomas Tuchel tells team to play with a smile at City Ground

Thomas Tuchel has encouraged his England team to play as they train – with smiles on their faces.

The German was critical of the performance as England laboured to a 1-0 win over minnows Andorra in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

Former Chelsea boss Tuchel says the players have trained very differently, however, so he has urged the Three Lions to play with freedom, take heed of instructions, and “just go for it”.

Tuchel began work as England head coach in January and Tuesday’s friendly against Senegal in Nottingham will be his fourth game in charge.

“I see us train with a smile, but not play with a smile,” Tuchel said.

“We need to improve, for sure. We need to improve in connections, in support, in interactions in the group.

“I feel we are too isolated on the pitch. We have not clicked yet.

“We have a lot of positives to take away in training and in the sessions I see a lot of it, and it will obviously take a little bit to translate it to the pitch.”

Tuchel added: “The best thing is to focus on the principles of the game, to give clear instructions to the players, [on] what we expect from them in their role.

“And then they forget about the shirt and how heavy it is. They [can be] free in the role and they know what to do, that they have people around with whom it is easy for them to connect. And then just go for it.”