Thomas Tuchel has emphasized to young English players the importance of proving themselves, as there is a notable decline in the presence of homegrown talent participating in the Premier League.

Research shows this season that the percentage of Premier League stars eligible to play for England has fallen to 24.3 per cent, an all-time low.

Previously, Gareth Southgate, Tuchel’s predecessor as England manager, expressed concern two years ago when the number fell to 33 percent, cautioning that future managers might need to select players from the Championship instead.

‘It is what it is. We have enough players to compete at a high level and they compete in the toughest League and they have to fight their way.’

When it was put to Tuchel that he must travel to watch Premier League games only to find hardly any English players in action, he didn’t disagree.

‘Yes, sometimes that happens,’ said the former Chelsea manager.

‘It is not frustrating. Of course I would love to see more English players. The more the better.

‘But I come from club football and I know that no-one is holding anyone back.

‘If anyone deserves to play, they will play so they have to fight for their place and I think they will. Quality will always find a way.’

After England’s friendly victory against Wales at Wembley on Thursday night, Tuchel gave his players a break on Friday. They will practice at St George’s Park over the weekend before traveling to Riga on Monday for their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Harry Kane is likely to play following a rest for his foot injury, and although Ollie Watkins collided with a goalpost, he is not seriously injured.

Tuchel’s England are on an upward trajectory after a win in Serbia last month and now a straight forward victory against Wales.

Tuchel expressed disappointment with the crowd’s enthusiasm on Thursday but hopes that the FA continues to host England matches at Wembley despite the occasional lack of atmosphere.

‘No, no,’ he said. ‘Don’t make a big thing out of it.

‘I am pretty sure we will play here and have no problem.

‘I felt like the boys and team deserved a bit more of a spark and in the second half they could have helped us.

‘But they should not under-estimate how much it helps sometimes if the game goes a bit flat.

‘It’s a matter of mutual support. Today was an exception. I appreciated the support in Serbia and I’m confident we will receive great backing in Latvia and undoubtedly at the World Cup.’

Tuchel is keen to play down the absence of players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from the current squad, even though he admit Bellingham’s replacement in the No 10 position, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, was outstanding against Wales.

‘The door is always open for anyone to jump in,’ Tuchel said.

‘Let’s play a second game and then we decide.

‘The nomination comes and then there is always an open door for top quality, top character. We are in October now so we go step-by-step.

‘Today we can just acknowledge he [Rogers] did amazing, the team did amazing and he buys into that.

‘He is a humble player. He is a physical player. And he is a very talented player, of course.

‘And in a good way. We need more than just 11 at the moment.’

Asked if he could envisage a World Cup starting 11 similar to the one he fielded this week with Bellingham & Co. on the bench, Tuchel refused to get involved.

‘I am sorry but I don’t follow that mindset,’ he said.

‘I am a football coach to coach the team that I nominate. And that is where my focus is.

‘Let’s cross the river when we are at the river. It does not help anyone if we think in bubbles about what can happen and about what cannot happen.

‘We had the last one and a half days to influence the team and I am happy they responded in this way. I am a happy coach tonight. And on Saturday we keep on going.’