Thomas Tuchel continues to surprise, but his latest England squad has provided some more clues as to how plans for the 2026 World Cup are shaping up. Here’s what we learned from his selections for November’s camp games against Serbia and Albania…
Bellingham and Foden are back – but are they competing for the same position as Cole Palmer?
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were left out of England’s last squad, leading to speculation that Tuchel is prepared to drop one of his star players from his World Cup plans. However, the pair have returned with strong performances in recent weeks for Real Madrid and Man City respectively.
However, in a press conference on Friday, Tuchel teased the idea that the two sides were competing for the same spot. “Jude will be back in the number 10 position. That is his best position. We will try to find spaces for him to be in the number 10 position and come into the number nine position and score,” Tuchel said.
He later said of Foden: “A combination of a number 9 and 10. The important thing for Phil is that he can get a role in the middle of the pitch. I don’t see him as a winger.” Foden played on Gareth Southgate’s left flank at the last Euros.
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With Thomas Tuchel bringing Phil Foden back into his latest England squad, relive some of his best moments from the Premier League season so far, including his two goals and two assists.
With Declan Rice and possibly Elliott Anderson taking on deep midfield roles, it means Bellingham and Foden could be competing for the same number 10 shirt behind Harry Kane.
Other No. 10 players such as Morgan Rodgers, Eberechi Eze and the dropped Morgan Gibbs-White now face an uphill battle to get into the squad, but what if Chelsea’s Cole Palmer returns to form?
Scott’s selection is a surprise – and adds to an interesting midfield battle
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Sky Sports’ senior correspondent Rob Dorsett explains why Bournemouth’s addition of Alex Scott is a big shock and why it could be part of a bigger picture by England’s head coach.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was a shocking selection by Tuchel. The Under-21 Euro winner received his first call-up to the first team following his impressive performances for Andoni Iraola’s Cherries.
That leaves him in an interesting battle with Adam Wharton, who was ultimately selected for Tuchel’s England squad, and Elliott Anderson, the star of England’s recent performances deep in midfield.
The World Cup is approaching. There are only four players remaining in the squad before Tuchel has to choose his squad for this tournament. But Scott’s selection shows there’s still a chance for the Wild Card to make a name for itself.
Where have the strikers gone?
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Harry Kane put in a great performance against Dortmund, dribbling, passing and even defending.
Harry Kane. that’s it. He is the only out-and-out striker to be selected for the England national team.
Tuchel explained that the signing of Olly Watkins is still part of the plan, but he has taken time off from international duty to deal with injury issues. But still, the lack of offensive options is…surprising.
Danny Welbeck, approaching his 35th birthday, was linked with a recall after seven years away from the international scene, but was not selected, while 22-year-old Liam Delap, who has just returned to Chelsea from injury, will surely be in the mix next summer.
However, Ivan Toney does not seem to have convinced Tuchel during the summer camp, with injured Dominic Solanke still on the sidelines at Spurs. Marcus Rashford is also in this group, but it is clear that he is more suited to playing on the left wing than centrally.
Unfortunately, Kane was not injured…
Gordon remains the big favorite – is he ahead of Rashford on the left?
Anthony Gordon limped off in Newcastle’s Champions League game in midweek, but Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has listed him as doubtful for this weekend’s Premier League game against Brentford. However, he remains so popular with the Three Lions manager that he has still been called up to the England squad by Tuchel.
“The way he has been in the last two camps, he is very important,” Tuchel said. “He brings intensity, hunger and a physical input that is rarely seen.” Tuchel has said he would not take “unnecessary risks” given Gordon’s suitability, but Gordon’s arrival underlines his position.
Gordon’s direct running in behind meshes well with Kane’s style of play. Rashford poses a huge goal threat of his own, cutting in from the left and firing with his favored right foot, as he has shown at Barça. But will that approach work as well in Tuchel’s system as Gordon’s move to stretch the defense?
Alexander-Arnold and Grealish – mavericks who don’t fit?
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Jack Grealish’s goal against Crystal Palace seals victory for Everton
If Tuchel can leave out Real Madrid players, England need to field a decent squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s start to life in Spain has been interrupted by injury, but time is running out if Tuchel is to find the right role and set-up to bring the unconventional right-back back into the England team.
It would be unbelievable that the team doesn’t have a player with such ball-handling skills. The same can be said for Jack Grealish, although his resurgence at Everton has so far not been enough to regain his place in England. It was just a year ago that he starred under interim manager Lee Carsley in a Nations League match. His exile continues.
These two mavericks have captured the hearts of many England fans, but they don’t seem to fit into Tuchel’s system.
Tuchel thinks that Pope-in, Luiz-Skelly-out is the game time and form factor
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Nick Pope denied Newcastle Timber’s play during the second half of Newcastle’s match against Arsenal in the Premier League.
The return of Nick Pope as a goalkeeping option and the absence of Miles Lewis-Skelly may not have a huge impact on the overall picture of England’s game this month. Pope will be second and third choice behind Jordan Pickford, giving Lewis Skelly an alternative option at left-back. But nevertheless, they are a reminder of the importance of game time and form at club level for players aiming to make the World Cup squad.
Pope impressed for Newcastle, outscoring Man City’s reserve keeper James Trafford despite concerns over how he would perform with the ball at his feet. Lewis-Skelly paid the price for losing his starting spot in the Arsenal team.
Of course, Lewis-Skelly’s situation could well change in the second half of the season, and the tweaks Tuchel has made to the players at the end of the project show that, given form and fitness considerations, a lot can still change by the time he names his World Cup squad.
Full England squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope.
Defenders: Dan Byrne, Mark Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Jarrell Quansah, Jed Spence, John Stones.
Midfielders: Elliott Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Alex Scott, Adam Wharton.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka.
