International football and club football are a very different kettle of fish. That has rarely been more clear for England than under Thomas Tuchel, who is not scared of making the most established names bit-part players, if that.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were the notable casualties of this approach at the World Cup; both were left out following underwhelming seasons. But club form was hardly a deciding factor. Crucially, neither had given Tuchel much incentive to include them in his 26-man roster, not least during England’s final friendly before the squad was picked against Japan in March. Both started that game, Foden leading the line in an audition as Harry Kane’s understudy, while Palmer was in behind; both were ineffective and hooked on the hour.
