England taking care of Saka before World Cup - Tuchel

Tuchel insisted that England are not the favourites to lift the World Cup at the end of July.

England have reached two European Championship finals in succession and been tipped to go deep into the tournament in North America.

"If you get to two Euros finals, and reach semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup, then you are there - then you can win it," the 52-year-old German said.

"Then maybe it just takes a bit of luck or whatever. I strongly believe we are there, but I also believe we are not the favourites because of the history.

"We see ourselves as competitors and challengers. We want to go all the way but I don't think we are the heavy favourites."

Tuchel continued: "Maybe it's the wrong comparison, but if you go to Wimbledon and haven't won it for 60 years, you're not the favourites - but you can win it, of course. That's what we want to do.

"We know what it takes, and it also requires a calm mindset and focus on our steps. If we want to reach the top of the mountain, we need to start the journey step by step. Otherwise, we'll get distracted.

"I have belief. We all have belief and a dream. But it comes with hard work, responsibility, commitment and discipline - and sometimes disappointment. That's all part of it. But we dare to dream, and that's important."

Meanwhile, Tuchel has expressed his gratitude to the Football Association (FA) for allowing him to focus on the football despite the growing number of political issues that have engulfed the build-up to the tournament.

Fifa has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not take part in this summer's World Cup after he was denied entry into the USA on Monday.

There have also been a series of visa issues connected to participants Iran in recent days.

"I'm grateful to the FA for letting me separate [politics and football] and talk about football and just talk about football because we need to be focused," added Tuchel.

"We can't be distracted. It's hard enough to be focused without being distracted."