Will transfers be a distraction for England at World Cup?

A major international tournament offers players a platform to showcase themselves to the world.

Performances on this stage can raise stocks and accelerate interest from top clubs.

Remember James Rodriguez lighting up the 2014 World Cup before a big-money move to Real Madrid? Enzo Fernandez followed a similar path to Chelsea in 2023 while Harry Maguire's 2018 showings piqued interest from Manchester United.

But for every Rodriguez, Fernandez and Maguire, there are just as many cases that prove transfer talk can just as easily shift focus away from performances on the pitch.

That is why Tuchel has a tricky task on his hands to deliver England's full potential at the World Cup while managing the background noise of the transfer market.

"If I said to the players not to deal with it now, their telephone will still blow up," said Tuchel.

"I can see the distraction if clubs want to sign you, and sporting directors, agents and coaches are trying to get you on the phone, of course it is a distraction.

"It's a reality, though. We will always recommend a player to take a decision before a tournament starts and as early as possible and go with the decision, but it's not always possible for the player. We're not alone in this, it's just how it plays out."

England's preparations are in full swing in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the focus is not just on football, but also on acclimatising to the heat and travel demands of the World Cup.

And for some players at the training camp, there is also the uncertainty of unresolved futures.

Midfielder Elliot Anderson, who was named in Tuchel's squad after a stellar season with Nottingham Forest, is among that group.

Both Manchester clubs are monitoring him closely, with City already having an opening bid rejected by Forest earlier this week, and the 23-year-old believed to favour a move to Etihad Stadium.

Any deal for Anderson could be one of the biggest of this window.

A potential fee could be a record for a British player, surpassing the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023.

Morgan Rogers is another England star drawing strong interest from a number of clubs this summer.

The attacking midfielder made 55 appearances for Aston Villa during the 2025-26 season, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists.

Premier League champions Arsenal and Manchester United are among his suitors, with Chelsea and Manchester City also linked.

However, according to BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, any club will need to shell out a fee exceeding £80m to sign Rogers.

One player who settled his future before travelling across the Atlantic is Anthony Gordon, completing a move to Barcelona from Newcastle United last month.

But whether he will be joined in Catalonia by England team-mate Marcus Rashford is yet to be decided.

Barca have a deadline of 15 June - two days before England's World Cup opener against Croatia - to activate a clause that will make the 28-year-old's loan move from Manchester United permanent for £26m, but the Spanish club have been trying to renegotiate the terms.

There remains a possibility the deadline passes without agreement, leaving Rashford's future unresolved and negotiations continuing during the tournament.

Defender John Stones, meanwhile, will be on the hunt for a new club after bringing an end to his decade-long spell at City.

During that time, he established himself as one of England's most decorated players, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and five League Cups among other honours.

"It's about common sense. I would not like it [transfers] the day before a match, or on a matchday, that's the policy," said Tuchel.

"But everything else if it's done privately, efficiently and quietly then we are always happy to help.

"It helps to have clarity around the player. The best thing we can have is clarity so if anyone has a chance to complete a change of club and a transfer we will not stand in their way.

"But it has to align, of course, with our schedule and our goals which is to be focused and prepared for matches."