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On the plane
Fresh from breaking Gordon Banks’s record for consecutive England clean sheets, Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed pick in goal. A miserly defensive record is a positive for Thomas Tuchel, even if the shutouts have come against poor sides. John Stones, such an elegant centre-back, is back in the team and will start at the World Cup if he stays fit. But who will partner him? Tuchel likes Ezri Konsa, whose versatility also makes him an option at right-back, and Marc Guéhi. Big Dan Burn also looks established despite making his international debut in March. It is more uncertain at left-back but Reece James will play at right-back as long as his body does not let him down.
The team is taking shape. Declan Rice is a guaranteed starter in midfield and Elliot Anderson has been a revelation since his debut last month. Jordan Henderson’s selection no longer feels controversial, especially as he is back in the Premier League and playing well for Brentford.
Some picks are obvious. Bukayo Saka remains the man on the right wing and Noni Madueke excelled during last month’s win over Serbia. Morgan Rogers, an emerging Tuchel favourite, continues to counter-press and link well at No 10. Eberechi Eze, who can play in a range of positions across the front line, is also well placed and there was praise for Anthony Gordon’s lively performance on the left against Latvia on Tuesday night. As for Harry Kane, what more needs to be said?
In the departure lounge
The big question is whether Jude Bellingham will force his way back into Tuchel’s plans. Will he respect the hierarchy and follow tactical instructions? Much will become clearer when Tuchel names his squad for next month’s games against Albania and Serbia. Another snub for Bellingham would speak volumes. But can England afford to go to the World Cup without one of their most talented players?
The likeliest outcome is surely a humbler version of Bellingham returning to the fold. Tuchel, though, has been strong on building a collective. He does not care about celebrity. The team comes first and that may mean some big names missing out. Cole Palmer is at risk. He has only played once for Tuchel and is struggling with a groin injury. But in a squad of 26 would it be wise to overlook a player with such a good record in big games?
The squad is settled. Dean Henderson will push Pickford and the only worry for the Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is a lack of football after the arrival of Gigi Donnarumma. Ollie Watkins is first in line behind Kane. Marcus Rashford has dropped to the bench and has been challenged by Tuchel to show more consistency but will be impossible to leave out if he impresses for Barcelona. Kane needs runners around him. An in-form Rashford is a potent weapon on the left and provides cover in the middle.
As for the full-backs, the speedy duo of Tino Livramento and Djed Spence can play on both flanks and have done well in recent outings. Myles Lewis-Skelly is more vulnerable – Tuchel has said he needs to start more for Arsenal – but it is worth remembering that he is left-footed. One of Gareth Southgate’s biggest errors at Euro 2024 was not picking a specialist left-back.
Hoping for a ticket
There will be a clamour for Tuchel to pick Adam Wharton. The Crystal Palace midfielder had to withdraw from the September camp and saw his place go to Ruben Loftus-Cheek. There was then no room for Wharton this month. But if a player with his passing range continues to thrive for Palace it would surely be a mistake for Tuchel to leave him out.
Competition is fierce. Phil Foden is an extravagant talent but was a high-profile omission this time and could be squeezed out because of the number of creators available to Tuchel. Jack Grealish is in a similar spot. Jarrod Bowen has been in the last two squads but is in a struggling West Ham team and may be reliant on an injury to Madueke. Morgan Gibbs-White is in Tuchel’s thoughts but has to lift his form at Nottingham Forest.
One thing in Bowen’s favour is his ability to play up front. Tuchel namechecked him as a potential striker option if Kane is injured. He also mentioned Chelsea’s Liam Delap, currently out with a long-term hamstring injury.
Another Chelsea player who could make a late bolt is Levi Colwill. The defender is out with a serious knee injury but was excellent at the Club World Cup. The Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah also has a chance. Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis could challenge Lewis-Skelly.
On the sofa
Kyle Walker’s time is up and Tuchel seems unmoved by Trent Alexander-Arnold, partly because of his doubts over the Real Madrid right-back’s defensive nous. Trevoh Chalobah did not do enough with his opportunity against Senegal in June, Harry Maguire is too up and down at Manchester United and Eric Dier’s hopes look remote. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is injured. The Newcastle goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope probably have to brace themselves for disappointment.
Curtis Jones and Conor Gallagher have fallen from favour in midfield. Tuchel loved Mason Mount at Chelsea but the United midfielder has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup. Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the Euros final, and Angel Gomes have not caught Tuchel’s eye. Harvey Elliott, who starred for the Under-21s last summer, has too many players in front of him and it is probably a tournament too soon for Jobe Bellingham and Ethan Nwaneri. It is telling that Tuchel did not mention Dominic Solanke or Ivan Toney when he named potential stand-ins for Kane.
