WORLD CUP IN MOTION

As 2026 campaign gets under way, Tuchel takes a leaf out of the famous Italia 90 John Barnes rap and tells his squad 'Express yourselves!

- BY JOHN CROSS Chief Football Writer X@johncrossmirror

THOMAS TUCHEL borrowed a line from John Barnes to get his England players in the mood.

Former World Cup star Barnes (below) told players to “express yourself” in his famous rap in the World In Motion song ahead of Italia '90.

That was Tuchel’s message as he ridiculed the notion that the England shirt should weigh on the shoulders of the players because of the levels of expectation.

England boss Tuchel said: “I accept the first episode needs to come from us.

“We are on it and hopefully we can prove it and increase our excitement but also our confidence within the shirt.

“We need to make the players look so good like they look in club football because there is a little bit of a lack of expression once they wear the England shirt and there is normally no need for it.

"It's normal there is so much noise around the game, so many opinions around the game. It’s not worth it to get distracted and bothered by it all.