Thomas Tuchel revealed that Prince William put the squeeze on the New England boss to call Aston Villa stars when he challenged Marcus Rashford not to fall back in old habits.
Rashford's return to the international fold of an exile of 12 months was a head of Tuchel's first team, next to a shock reminder for Jordan Henderson and a first call for Dan Burn.
The German has met Prince William twice since he became the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate and insisted that the pressure of his new job is a privilege.
“Once I met his royal highness at a competition and had a meeting in Windsor Castle,” said Tuchel. 'The way he speaks, the emotional way in which he supports Arsenal – not Arsenal, Aston Villa – and the national team, is so impressive. It was so nice to talk to him about football.
“He has strong opinions. He pushed hard for the Aston Villa players, which was not necessary because we admire them a lot.
'It means a lot and it is something special that is accompanied by the role. It is a privilege and comes with a great responsibility. '
Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa have joined Rashford in the 26-man group for World Cup qualifications against Albania and Latvia.
Tuchel has studied Rashford's output since he had left Manchester United on loan and indicated that the 27-year-old seems reborn under Unai Emery.
“I felt that Marcus had a huge impact on villa, usually from the couch,” Tuchel added. 'The impact was impressive, the physical impact was impressive and his working speed, his hard work and purchasing and tracking back.
'I had a strong feeling that we had to bring him to push him to stay at that level and not fall back on old routines. This camp is to connect with him and to get to know him.
'Everyone who is with us on this trip is a competition. Each player is part of the first step nut, at the same time it is only the first step. A nomination is not a nomination for America and the World Cup. It is important to be in the first camp. You are there at the first step of the trip. '
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