Thomas Tuchel is an England boss who isn’t afraid to be brutal and he doesn’t apparently much care for big names or what football fans think. That’s why there’s plenty of controversy following confirmation of Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the World Cup finals this summer.
Unlike his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Tuchel is a serial winner of big trophies
Embarrassingly, the news of his final choices had leaked out 24-hours earlier. Out goes Trent Alexander-Arnold. Tuchel chose Djed Spence of relegation-threatened Tottenham over the Real Madrid right back: Tuchel has previously hinted that he doesn’t trust the right-back defensively. Even so, losing his ability on the ball in attacking play is a big risk that could come back to bite the England manager if things unravel during the tournament.
Phil Foden of Manchester City is another who won’t be on the plane. So too Cole Palmer who has struggled for form in a poor Chelsea side, and Tuchel has always had reservations about him. There’s also no room for Morgan Gibbs-White, another fan favourite. These are undoubtedly big decisions that carry risk, but it’s Tuchel’s job to pick the team. Everyone else simply has to trust him to get it right.
Another surprise is the selection of Ivan Toney, who has played just three minutes under Tuchel. The Al-Ahli striker was part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, but has has hardly featured for England since June 2025. He has been prolific in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 42 goals, but it’s not exactly Premier League standard. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins gets a call-up (a good decision) as one of the back-ups for England captain Harry Kane. Getting the nod in midfield is Jude Bellingham (another the England manager has publicly voiced reservations about), Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo makes it into the squad after an impressive end to the season.
The Manchester United defender Harry Maguire won’t be going to the World Cup. He was far from happy, saying he was “shocked and gutted” and there were plenty of angry social media posts from members of his family. His mum said she was “disgusted” by the decision. The public strop from Maguire will not have endeared him to many neutrals. It suggests a degree of entitlement that is not merited. Tuchel’s preferred choices in defence are John Stones (who has hardly played this season), Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Jarell Quansah.
“It’s hard to please everyone,” Tuchel said. An understatement if ever there was one. He added: “The connections have to be there. It is about energy, connection and trust.”
Well, only Tuchel can know in fine detail who among the players justifies their place. Plenty of fans are unhappy, understandably so, with social media full of angry supporters arguing over his decisions. Plenty are accusing Tuchel of losing the plot. Well, no one said it would be an easy job. Tuchel has just one task, which is to lead the national team to triumph in Canada, Mexico and the US.
The jury is still out on whether Tuchel is the right man to do it. Unlike his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, Tuchel is a serial winner of the biggest trophies in football. No one doubts his tactical abilities and game management. His problem is that Southgate’s England team made it to the latter stages of the biggest tournaments, only to fail at the final hurdle. Winning the World Cup is the only standard by which Tuchel can, and will, be judged. Anything less will rightly be deemed a failure. In the meantime, it is a case of hoping that he gets it right.
Comments