England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford says Thomas Tuchel instills so much fighting spirit in the camp, the Three Lions players are ready to “go to war” alongside the former Chelsea boss.
Tuchel’s side have not yet hit top form at the World Cup, bar the second 45 minutes against Croatia, with a goalless draw against Ghana followed by an unconvincing 2-0 defeat of Panama on Saturday night.
Nevertheless, Pickford, who will be in goal when England face DR Congo in the round of 32 tomorrow afternoon, says there is no lack of motivation within the ranks.
He told BBC Sport: “[We have] belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager’s got that belief in us.
“The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There are different meetings he has tactically, and it is like ‘yeah, it is go time.’
“We all want the same goal, we all want that end goal and this squad he has picked, we are all in good spirits.”
Pickford has had one or two rash moments in the three games so far but says his work with a psychologist has put him in a good place.
“[It is] a lot of growth I am working on and being the best version of myself,” the Everton keeper said in an interview with ITV Sport.
“We have got targets, who I am working with, and it is about being the best version of me and where that can take me. We know the journey it can take me on, and believing in that, and being me.”
DR Congo qualified as one of the best third-placed finishers and have plenty of Premier League players in their squad, including Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa.
Wissa endured a miserable first season on Tyneside but has looked sharper at the World Cup with three goals in three games.
“I didn’t show my best face at Newcastle but I knew that my time will come and this time is now,” he said.
“I just show everyone now I’m in a good place, I’m good physically, I’m good mentally, so that’s why I’m proud to show that I’m a good player.
“I know how to play football and especially when I’m good physically my head is calm, and the rest follows.”
World Cup 2026: England v DR Congo team news
Stand-in right-back Jarell Quansah sustained a knock against Panama and is a doubt. One of Djed Spence or John Stones will come into the back four. Declan Rice will return to the midfield with Morgan Rogers likely to drop out.
DR Congo could revert to a five-man defence with Brian Cipenga missing out.
