Manager Thomas Tuchel has selected five centre-backs and five central midfielders for his latest squad and first England squad, which he selected in March, with the exception of No. 10. In the three teams in between, he used four or five players in each of those two positions.
That reasoning is valid given the extreme temperatures England will face in North America next summer.
The England manager has spoken a lot this week about the work he and his support staff are doing to prepare for such a situation, telling the media that substitutions will be essential to avoid putting too much stress on individual players.
Nowhere is this more evident than in central midfield and central defence. These two positions are the ones most likely to receive a yellow card or even a red card, resulting in a suspension.
Therefore, additional cover in the center, midfield and defense seems inevitable.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett breaks down England’s commanding 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania
Early indications are that Tuchel plans to introduce a general selection rule of two players for each position in May’s World Cup squad, albeit six months before a final decision has to be made.
I asked him directly this week, when he was testing Harry Kane’s replacements at the top, if he would consider taking just one striker to the World Cup. He was quite adamant in his response, saying it was highly questionable as he would feel the team didn’t have the right “balance”.
If he chooses to use two players in each position, there could be only one ‘wildcard’ selection in the entire attacking squad, which could mean he could only select one of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Ebereshi Eze or Jarrod Bowen.
Let’s take a closer look.
If Tuchel adds two players for each outfield position and three goalkeepers as required by FIFA World Cup rules, there will only be three players Tuchel can select as “wild cards”.
Choosing a few versatile players who can play multiple positions would free up more spots. For example, if Dan Byrne and Ezri Konsa are selected as centre-backs as expected, they can also cover left-back and right-back respectively. Tino Libramento and Jed Spence are equally skilled at left-back and right-back, meaning there is a possibility that only three specialist full-backs will be selected for the final squad.
With this theory in mind, Sky Sports News has laid out a framework for how Tuchel will use next summer, using only players he has called up during his previous terms. Of course, injuries and form could lead to big changes over the next six months, but that seems to be the England manager’s thoughts at the moment…
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Manager Thomas Tuchel has yet to decide how many strikers he will take to the World Cup, but it was clearer which midfielder would be his first choice.
goalkeeper
On the plane: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson.
In the departure lounge: Nick Pope, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale.
full back
On the plane: Reece James.
In the departure lounge: Nico O’Reilly, Tino Libramento, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jed Spence, Miles Lewis-Skelly.
Kyle Walker was left at home.
center back
On the plane: John Stones, Mark Gehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Byrne.
In the departure lounge: Levi Colwill, Jarrell Quansah, Trevor Chalobah.
Central midfielder – number 6
On the plane: Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson.
In the departure lounge: Adam Wharton.
Central midfielder – No. 8
On the plane: Declan Rice.
In the departure lounge: Alex Scott, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Curtis Jones.
Conor Gallagher was left at home.
10s
On the Plane: Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers.
In the departure lounge: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze.
Left Behind: Morgan Gibbs-White.
left wing
On the plane: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon.
Departure Lounge: Eberechi Eze.
right wing
On the plane: Bukayo Saka.
In the departure lounge: Jarrod Bowen and Noni Madueke.
strikers
On the plane: Harry Kane.
In the departure lounge: Ollie Watkins.
Those left at home were Dominic Solanke and Ivan Tony.
Other notable players
Those left at home include Danny Welbeck, Jack Grealish, Liam Delap, Coby Mainoo, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
