Pick the best team, not the best players
Thomas Tuchel said that whittling down his 55-player longlist gave him “a certain edge”. There were some tough phone calls and some decisions inevitably caused outrage. But there was a pointed remark from Tuchel about how creating a winning team is not necessarily “to select the most talented 26 players”. The aim since September has been to build a brotherhood; Tuchel knows maintaining harmony within the camp will be crucial given that England hope to be together for seven weeks. “We have 26 players who know their role, who are committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish,” the German said. Was there a message to Harry Maguire after the defender aired his grievances at being overlooked? “I think it was not necessary,” Tuchel said of Maguire’s decision to go public.
How to keep Bellingham happy? Give him clarity
Few things will be more important than keeping Jude Bellingham happy. England are not going to win if Tuchel’s relationship with the Real Madrid star becomes strained. What may help, though, is streamlining the debate around the No 10s. No room, then, for Cole Palmer, Phil Foden or Morgan Gibbs-White. Tuchel feels taking more than three creators would have meant playing one out of position. “I refuse to bring players for the name,” he said. Tuchel did not want unnecessary noise. Palmer or Bellingham? Bellingham or Foden? Who to start? Who’s your favourite? Tuchel has taken that out of the equation. Eberechi Eze is a solid tourist. Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are friends from childhood. “If they compete for one position it is possible to compete as accomplices, not enemies,” Tuchel said.
Toney is a wildcard worth taking
Tuchel even surprised himself by taking Ivan Toney. He has not been to Saudi Arabia to watch the Al-Ahli striker but one of his coaches, Justin Cochrane, has been over. And when Tuchel talked through the squad and thought about the best mode of attack when England are chasing the game he kept coming back to a 30-year-old without a call-up since June 2025. England’s head coach rates Toney’s aerial presence and composure from the penalty spot. Harry Kane likes playing with him. The only hurdle to overcome was Toney’s attitude during the June camp, when he was restricted to a late cameo in a friendly against Senegal. Tuchel had to clear the air with the former Brentford striker before picking him again.
Weather and fatigue will be factors
Tuchel regards all three European club finals featuring English teams as further proof that the Premier League is the best in the world. Yet it also adds to his fears around burnout. “Our players will be tired,” Tuchel said. “It does not make it easier to then go to three countries and a big change in [weather] conditions.” It has been a grind of a season. Tuchel has talked about trying to play like a Premier League side during the World Cup. Will replicating that pressing and intensity be possible in the heat? Winning the trophy will mean playing eight games in 33 days. Tuchel said his rotation must be spot on.
Spence the specialist
West Ham’s relegation battle cost Jarrod Bowen his spot but Tottenham’s woes did not count against Djed Spence. The full-back has been a fixture in Tuchel’s squads since September. Spence is not a popular pick but Tuchel thinks there is no other full-back like him. The 25-year-old can play on both flanks and is England’s quickest player. Spence’s one-on-one defending could be a useful asset. Physicality comes into it again. Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw had their supporters. Spence is not the best going forward but it is easy to imagine Tuchel deploying him against a top winger.
Stones has Tuchel’s trust – but will he stay fit?
John Stones has made four appearances for Manchester City since the start of December and has not started a league game since October. Are we really doing this again? Relying on someone with a questionable fitness record? Tuchel is convinced. He regards Stones as a leader and a world-class defender. Tuchel has studied the 31-year-old’s training data and is convinced he can last the pace. With England’s opener not until 17 June, Tuchel hopes a long run-in will help Stones get up to speed. It’s a gamble. Tuchel will be criticised if Stones breaks down.
Will creativity be an issue?
Tuchel was brutal about Palmer and Foden, saying the former “failed to prove it on a consistent level” and the latter’s position is no longer clear. A worry, though, is that England have left themselves a little short of variety. They have speedy wingers, Kane’s ability to drop deep, players to crash the box, Eze’s unpredictability. Palmer can be gamechanger from the bench, though, and there is an argument that Tuchel should have found a spot for Adam Wharton’s line-breaking passes from deep. England have not always known how to change the angles. When it came to Trent Alexander-Arnold, though, Tuchel felt the Real Madrid’s defensive flaws outweighed his ability to hit a pass no one saw coming. He has also decided Kobbie Mainoo’s skill in tight midfield spaces is a better asset than Wharton’s poise in possession. Maybe England do have enough.
James and Stones to cover for Rice and Anderson?
Pressed on dropping Wharton, Tuchel said that he believed Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson can do “special things”. As for whether there is enough cover at No 6, it was interesting to hear Tuchel say Stones and Reece James could compete with Jordan Henderson and Mainoo. He was opposed to the idea of James as a midfielder not so long ago, saying the Chelsea captain was better at right-back. “Reece James can play in the six because he does on a high level for Chelsea,” said Tuchel, who has ways to move players around the pitch. Nico O’Reilly is the starting left-back but has also operated as a No 8 for City.
Are there enough goals in the team?
Look past Kane, England’s record goalscorer after 78 in 112 appearances, and only two other players in the squad have double figures. Rashford has 18 goals, Bukayo Saka 14, but others have to step up. Bellingham, Rice and Ollie Watkins have six goals apiece. Noni Madueke, Rogers and Toney one, Anthony Gordon two. Tuchel needs more. Gordon has 17 goals for Newcastle this season. Can he bring that ruthlessness to his England performances? The goalscoring burden cannot solely rest on Kane’s shoulders.
Could a youngster sneak in?
With Arsenal facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday, Tuchel will not have his entire squad available at the start of England’s training camp in Florida. He has decided to bolster numbers in training by adding some young players to the group. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who was close to making the 26, will be joined by Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha and Fulham’s Josh King, with potentially one more to come. Could an injury lead to any of them sneaking in through the back door?
