Thomas Tuchel admits England must protect ‘key player’ Harry Kane at the World Cup – but insists 32-year-old captain is in the ‘best shape’ of his career

Thomas Tuchel says Harry Kane has arrived in Florida ahead of the World Cup in the best possible shape – but admits he needs to protect his ‘key player’.

The England captain scored 61 goals from 51 games for Bayern Munich this season and, amid temperatures topping 35C here in North America, there was a concern among the coaching team that his impact could suffer.

However, Tuchel believes there are no such worries after watching Kane lead the way in training this week.

‘He’s in top shape,’ said the England boss. ‘He is ready to go. We don’t have to be worried about him at all, even if it is hot in June. He has showed me the whole week that he is ready. He is our key player.

‘He looks lean. He looks sharp, and he trains at the highest level. We had a defensive training session today and he was leading the intensity. He is so used to the high press from Bayern Munich and the intensive game that they play in the opponents’ half. He is leading by example. I think he is in the best shape.’

Kane will play 45 minutes against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, and Tuchel knows how important it will be to maintain his condition. The England boss conceded he was concerned after Daily Mail Sport showed him a picture of the playing surface at the Raymond James Stadium.

‘You make me worried!’ he said, after seeing our image for the first time. ‘We have a green-keeper who takes care of it and I hope it will be alright. It is an American football pitch, I can see that. Hopefully it will be fine. We are told it is OK.’

Of Kane, he added: ‘Everyone will be 45 minutes so that gives us the continuation of the week. We will try to keep Harry fit and play him as much as possible, but hopefully we will have the chance to not need to play him every match for 90 or 120 minutes.

‘But if the matches are close, do we really do this? Do we take our main goals threat off? Maybe not.’

Tuchel has revealed that Ollie Watkins will be Kane’s understudy, with Ivan Toney an option from the bench.

‘I think Oli is more the guy we need to start for Harry, if we think Harry should not start a match,’ he said. ‘He can keep the intensity up, to keep the press going, that is the strength of Oli. And Ivan is kind of a finisher for us. Maybe it’s a special task to take the attention off Harry. Then we have a second striker who’s very, very good in the box. He’s a good penalty taker. He trains on a high level. I’m very happy with him. He just showed that it was right to take him. He has a brilliant attitude. We have some options but Harry is, of course, the main guy in front.’

Arsenal’s Premier League-winning quartet of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze will meet up with the squad on Sunday, and could feature against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday.

Tuchel believes that their arrival will mark the onset of the tournament feeling real.

‘The excitement comes when the Arsenal players are back and then it is the complete group, and then it kicks in when the first game starts,’ he said.

‘It is more like a pre-season now but players are very eager to quickly readapt to our identity and to how we want to play. We try to rebuild everything in a few days, we don’t want to waste time.’

Meanwhile, Tuchel says England stars will be allowed to complete transfers during the World Cup, with the likes of Elliot Anderson a top target of Man City.

He said: ‘If anyone has the chance to complete a transfer, we will not stand in the way, but it has to align with our schedule and our goals, which is to be focused and prepare for matches. The last day before the match and the second last day, not.

‘Until now, no player approached me. The doctor is ready to take any medical if needed! We are always happy to help to have clarity around the player.’