Five months after the announcement his appointment, Thomas Tuchel takes the England reigns for the first time on Friday night, Wembley playing host to the Three Lions opening World Cup qualifier against Albania.

"I felt tension and pressure on the shoulders of the players," Tuchel said on Thursday. "They were more afraid."

Tuchel believes it is unfair to burden himself and his players with issues outside football at the World Cup and said they should be allowed to "make the best" of what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity without being "punished" for their views on issues outside the game.