As England manager Thomas Tuchel prepares to unveil his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup on Friday, the German coach is grappling with a series of complex decisions, particularly in defence and attack. The tournament culminates with the final on 19 July in New Jersey, and Tuchel has already begun the difficult process of contacting players who will not make the cut.

Tuchel identified captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and John Stones as core members of his leadership group upon taking the job. While Kane and Rice are certainties, Stones’ inclusion presents an early dilemma. The 31-year-old central defender has made just four Premier League starts this season, raising questions about his match fitness. Despite this, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are widely expected to secure spots in the North America-bound squad, with Harry Maguire, who was internationally recalled in March, also in contention. Jarell Quansah’s versatility could also prove a valuable asset.

Defensive depth and right-back riddles

The right-back position is another area fraught with challenges for Tuchel. Reece James, a likely first-choice, has endured an injury-disrupted campaign. Trent Alexander-Arnold, a Real Madrid player, was notably absent from the squad for March’s internationals, with Tuchel having previously stated last year that Quansah was ahead of him in the pecking order. Further complicating matters are injuries to other potential candidates:

• Tino Livramento, a Newcastle full-back, has not played since mid-April due to a thigh injury.

• Arsenal’s Ben White is expected to be excluded as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

• Djed Spence, who has played four times under Tuchel, and Newcastle duo Dan Burn and Lewis Hall also harbour hopes of selection, underscoring the depth of the defensive conundrum.

Striker options beyond Kane

Upfront, Harry Kane remains England’s undisputed captain and first-choice striker. However, Tuchel is considering taking three strikers to the World Cup, opening up a fierce competition for the remaining spots. Ollie Watkins has made a strong case, scoring 11 goals in 14 games for Aston Villa. Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds has also impressed with 15 goals this season, including the decisive winner in a 1-0 victory over Brighton. Other contenders include:

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• Ivan Toney, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia.

• Dominic Solanke, a Tottenham forward, is a doubt due to a muscle injury, despite being in the March squad.

• Veteran Danny Welbeck, 35, who last played for England in September 2018 but scored 14 goals for Brighton this season and was on Tuchel’s 55-man long list.

Midfield and attacking puzzles

In midfield and attack, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly is almost certain to be selected due to his impressive form. However, the situation surrounding Phil Foden, who was the only England player to start both of March’s friendlies, remains uncertain. “Tuchel admitted after the last international break that the midfielder, who has not been a regular starter recently for Manchester City, is not guaranteed a spot on the plane,” according to BBC Sport. Other attacking options include Morgan Rogers, who started five of England’s eight World Cup qualifying games as a number 10, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who has started just twice under Tuchel after missing much of the qualifying campaign through injury. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was notably left out by Tuchel in October to maintain a settled squad, having just returned from injury at the time.

England’s Group L matches against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama await, but first, Tuchel must navigate these demanding selection decisions, balancing current form, fitness, and his vision for a cohesive squad.

Sources: www.bbc.com, www.bbc.co.uk, www.bbc.co.uk

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