Thomas Tuchel has a way to go to emulate his Brazil counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, in terms of sheer spectacle when it comes to the announcement of a World Cup squad. Ancelotti took centre stage at the elegant Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday to reveal his 26 players, going name by name, the large audience of celebrities and influencers erupting when he eventually confirmed thatNeymar was in.
There will nevertheless be a sense of razzmatazz on Friday morning when Tuchel confirms his England squad for the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. It is a seismic day in the football cycle, one that does not need additional trimmings. But it will get them anyway, with the Football Association going digital-first in an effort to harness the excitement and zap it straight to supporters’ devices.
Related:Foden, Palmer and Maguire left out of England World Cup squad but Toney is in
The governing body will stream a live show from Wembley on its recently launched England app, which begins at 9.45am BST. It will feature appearances from the former England internationals, Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge, along with those all-important names, the ones that will carry the nation’s dream. Tuchel will drop in for an interview before he conducts his other media activities.
Yet it is doubtful there will be many surprises. Tuchel has made his phone calls, both joyful and difficult. Andfrom the moment that Harry Maguire, who got one of the latter, went public at around 5pm on Thursday to say how “shocked and gutted” he was to have been excluded, the picture started to clear, the pieces falling into place. Tuchel’s selection is set to be defined by consistency, as much as anything else – the expected wildcard inclusion of Ivan Toney notwithstanding. He believes he has the right blend for the mission to put a second star on the shirt.
Goalkeepers:Jordan PickfordEverton, Dean HendersonCrystal Palace, James TraffordManchester City
Defenders:Reece JamesChelsea, Tino LivramentoNewcastle, John StonesManchester City, Marc GuéhiManchester City, Ezri KonsaAston Villa, Dan BurnNewcastle, Jarell QuansahBayer Leverkusen, Nico O’ReillyManchester City
Midfielders:Jordan HendersonBrentford,Elliot AndersonNottingham Forest, Declan RiceArsenal, Kobbie MainooManchester United, James GarnerEverton,Jude BellinghamReal Madrid, Morgan RogersAston Villa
Forwards:Bukayo SakaArsenal, Noni MaduekeArsenal, Eberechi EzeArsenal, Marcus RashfordBarcelona, Anthony GordonNewcastle, Harry KaneBayern Munich, Ollie WatkinsAston Villa, Ivan ToneyAl-Ahli
Goalkeepers
This was the simple bit.Jordan Pickfordis the undisputed No 1,Dean HendersonandJames Traffordthe likely back-ups. Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope have been on the outside looking in. Tuchel has had an idea to use Jason Steele as a non-playing training goalkeeper.
Defenders
Maguire did OK when Tuchel called him up for the March friendlies. The Manchester United player started against Uruguay and was a threat on set pieces asa late substitute against Japan. It was his first involvement with the England setup since September 2024. But Tuchel’s comments after the Uruguay game were an indication of the direction of travel; how he saw the central defensive hierarchy.
He made the point that Maguire had been what he expected. “I haven’t changed my mind,” Tuchel said. “But I see other players I like to start for us, other players ahead with a different profile.” He name-checkedEzri Konsa,Marc Guéhi,John StonesandTrevoh Chalobah. He might have mentioned Dan Burn, who was a part of the group brought in only for the Japan game and, as such, extremely likely to be on the plane to the tournament.Jarell Quansahwas also in his thinking.
The worry for Tuchel has to be the fitness of two of his preferred back four. Stones is currently injury-free but he has made just four appearances for Manchester City since the start of December. Match sharpness could be an issue. How much of a packed World Cup schedule will he be able to manage? England hope to play eight games in 33 days. The same question applies to the right-back,Reece James. He only returned for Chelsea from his latest hamstring injury and a near-two-month absence on the Saturday before last and, after playingalmost all of the FA Cup finalthis past Saturday, he was left out of the game against Tottenham on Tuesday. Another Chelsea defender,Levi Colwill, returned at the start of May from a season-wrecking anterior cruciate ligament rupture and he has impressed. It is feasible that Tuchel considered him a risk too far.
That is not the case with the right-backTino Livramento, who is ready to prove his fitness after a month out with a thigh problem. It is possibleBen Whitemight have gone as Tuchel is a big fan, but the Arsenal right-back is definitely out with an injury. Tuchel knows that Konsa and Quansah can cover at right-back.Djed Spencehas started two Premier League games in two months for Spurs while at the last count,Trent Alexander-Arnoldwas seventh in Tuchel’s right-back pecking order.
Luke Shawwas an interesting part of the conversation at left-back, given the season he has had for United, starting every league match for them and playing well. But his last appearance for England was in the Euro 2024 final. Tuchel has been swayed by youth in the position, sold onNico O’ReillywhileMyles Lewis-Skellyadvanced a late claim with a return to form at Arsenal.Lewis Hallhas been on the fringes.
Midfielders
Start withDeclan Riceand move on from there.Elliot Andersonhas become a mainstay since his debut in September and is set to partner Rice in central midfield.Jordan Hendersonwill not be a starter but his experience counts for a lot and his leadership will be valuable when it comes to maintaining harmony with the camp.
Tuchel, keen to leave no stone unturned in his quest for the perfect mix, is aware of the issues caused by Gareth Southgate dropping a host of senior players at Euro 2024.
Yet there is room for youth in the middle.Kobbie Mainoo, rejuvenated since the departure of Ruben Amorim in January, has caught the eye since returning to United’s starting XI and was a key player for England at the last Euros. The 21-year-old is still not the finished article and has defensive weaknesses to iron out of his game but his ability on the ball makes him a compelling option.Adam Wharton, with his line-breaking passing, has not quite convinced Tuchel in the same way. Bournemouth’sAlex Scottwill also have to wait for future opportunities, althoughJames Garnercould sneak in because of his versatility.
Forwards
Much of the focus has centred around how many No 10s Tuchel intends to take. Five? Maybe just four? In the end, the answer is expected to be three,Jude Bellingham,Eberechi EzeandMorgan Rogersdoing enough to earn their spots.Cole PalmerandPhil Foden, however, are discovering that there is a price to pay for underwhelming club seasons. Brilliant on their day, they have not done it for England for a while and perhaps one benefit to having only three creators competing for one spot is that it brings a certain clarity to selection.
That means disappointment forMorgan Gibbs-White, who finished the season strongly for Nottingham Forest. Tuchel has been ruthless. WithBukayo Sakafirst choice andNoni Maduekepoised to edge outJarrod Bowenon the right, andMarcus RashfordandAnthony Gordonleading the way on the left, the squad has a streamlined feel. Cutting the No 10 options down leaves Tuchel space to select two strikers to provide cover forHarry Kane.
There was a time when the German toyed with picking Kane as the only No 9. Not now, though.Ollie Watkinshas been pushing since his omission from the March squad. And there always was likely to be at least one major surprise from Tuchel. A recall forIvan Toneywas not on the cards. The Al-Ahli striker went to the last Euros but has played two minutes for Tuchel. What gives? Perhaps part of the plan is to create competition between Kane’s understudies. Toney also takes a mean penalty.Danny Welbeck,Dominic Calvert-LewinandDominic Solankewill nonetheless feel unlucky to be overlooked.
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