England boss Thomas Tuchel will have plenty of time to consider his squad for the World Cup and there are 50 stars in with a chance of heading off to the United States next year
Thomas Tuchel has big selection calls to make ahead of the World Cup(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel has compiled a long list of 50 names for potential call-ups.
And here is who the England boss is likely to be calling over the next few weeks as he plans to visit, FaceTime and Zoom his way through the World Cup wannabes.
There are some eye-catching names like Brighton youngster Jack Hinshelwood whose versatility of being able to play left back and midfield has put him in the minds of Tuchel and his staff. His Brighton teammate Danny Welbeck is another to watch as he just missed out on the latest camp but is in good form and is also known to be a good tourist.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel reveals what ‘hurts’ him about England job as he sounds World Cup warningREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold offered World Cup lifeline as Thomas Tuchel confirms England plan
But there are almost certain to be big name casualties with Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold facing a battle against time and the odds to make the cut.
Chelsea star Palmer was brilliant at last year’s Euros and shone at the Club World Cup to make himself one of the best young talents in world football. But Palmer has struggled with injury this season – partly due to a lack of a break because of the Club World Cup – and there is fierce competition for the No10 role.
Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham are the leaders in the clubhouse while Phil Foden can also play as a false nine which gives him an edge. That may also help Eberechi Eze who can play centrally and wide left.
But all of this is a worry for Palmer who could be left as the biggest casualty unless he rediscovers his best form and fitness for the second half of the season.
Danny Welbeck could yet earn a shock World Cup spot(Image: Getty)
The reason Tuchel prefers face-to-face meetings with players – ideally in-person – is so he can see the whites of their eyes which can be telling as to whether they really want to be part of the England squad.
Alexander-Arnold has been something of an enigma at England level and there may be a suspicion that he is just focused on excelling at Real Madrid after a difficult start which has been disrupted by injury.
Ben White is unlikely to get back in while not playing for Arsenal. The same goes for Myles Lewis-Skelly who is in danger of being usurped by Nico O’Reilly while Djed Spence did not start either November international.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire appear to have been left behind by Tuchel. Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice are stitched on, Tuchel wants Jordan Henderson and so maybe Adam Wharton and Co are fighting for one last place.
Elliot Anderson has played his way into Tuchel’s plans in recent months(Image: Getty Images)
Dan Burn is a shoo-in. Why? Good tourist and his height from set-pieces. Bukayo Saka starts but Noni Madueke is rated highly, although Jarrod Bowen is pushing hard.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon are ahead of Eze with Tuchel likely to take two wingers for each flank in what is almost certainly going to be a 26 man squad for next summer.
Then there is likely to be room for one more striker alongside Harry Kane. And at the moment, that is wide open. Ollie Watkins was the hero of the Euros but has work to do.
Tuchel has a lot of calls to make – in every sense. But the long list gives players hope. England now have just two friendlies in March – likely to be Uruguay and Japan – before Tuchel makes the toughest call of all when he names his squad. There will be a lot of anxious stars awaiting a call from Tuchel…
Jude Bellingham is one star whose place in the squad is all but guaranteed(Image: Getty Images)Goalkeepers (5)
Jordan Pickford (Nailed on)
Dean Henderson (No2)
Nick Pope (50-50)
James Trafford (50-50)
Aaron Ramsdale (long shot)
Right-back (6)
Reece James (First choice right back)
Jarell Quansah (big chance)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (long shot)
Kyle Walker (outsider)
Rico Lewis (fading)
Ben White (long shot)
Left-back (6)
Nico O’Reilly (In pole position)
Jack Hinshelwood (one to watch)
Tino Livramento (50-50)
Lewis Hall (outside chance)
Myles Lewis-Skelly (lost place)
Djed Spence (losing ground)
Luke Shaw (long shot)
Centre-back (8)
Ezri Konsa (Nailed on)
Marc Guehi (Nailed on)
John Stones (Nailed on)
Dan Burn (Nailed on)
Trevoh Chalobah (outside shot)
Levi Colwill (running out of time)
Harry Maguire (fading)
Jarrad Branthwaite (running out of time)
Midfielders (9)
Elliot Anderson (Nailed on)
Declan Rice (Nailed on)
Adam Wharton (50-50)
Jordan Henderson (good shot)
Curtis Jones (lost ground)
Alex Scott (long shot)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (fading)
Morgan Gibbs-White (fading)
Conor Gallagher (outside chance)
Kobbie Mainoo (forgotten man)
Right forwards (3)
Bukayo Saka (Nailed on)
Noni Madueke (60-40)
Jarrod Bowen (40-60)
No 10 role (4)
Jude Bellingham (Nailed on)
Morgan Rogers (Nailed on)
Phil Foden (Big chance)
Cole Palmer (Should be worried)
Left forward (3)
Anthony Gordon (In pole position)
Marcus Rashford (60-40)
Eberechi Eze (40-60)
Centre forward (6)
Harry Kane (Nailed on)
Danny Welbeck (outside chance)
Ollie Watkins (fading)
Dominic Solanke (long shot)
Ivan Toney (Unlikely)
Liam Delap (Next time)
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