One hundred days to go. Not long now until the World Cup gets under way and Thomas Tuchel becomes the latest England manager to attempt to bring football home again.
Much of his starting line-up for that opening game against Croatia, injuries aside, picks itself. Harry Kane will lead the line, Declan Rice will command the midfield, Jordan Pickford will start between the sticks.
On the periphery, though, there are places up for grabs and two months left of the season to make one final case to be a part of it.
Daily Mail Sport looks at some of those outsiders hoping to book their seat on the plane to the United States.
Much of Thomas Tuchel’s starting line-up at the World Cup picks itself, but Daily Mail Sport looks at some of the outside contenders who could push to earn a place in the squad
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
The battle to be Harry Kane’s water carrier is hotting up. Few would have expected Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be one of the front runners when he left Everton in the summer with a whimper after nine years. But a run of seven goals in six games for Leeds through November and December fired himself back into the conversation. No English player has scored more Premier League goals this season.
Ollie Watkins has had his own struggles at Aston Villa, though is still likely to get the nod, but if Calvert-Lewin can finish the season with a flourish, there may still be hope for a striker who last pulled on an England shirt in the quarter-final of the Euros in 2021.
Plane chances: 5/10
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has put himself back in contention to be Harry Kane’s understudy at the World Cup
Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
The same applies to Danny Welbeck, a man burning fiercely amid the twilight. I was at the Amex on Sunday as Welbeck took his Premier League tally to 10 goals for a second season in a row to sit beside Calvert-Lewin as the top English scorer. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler believes the 35-year-old Welbeck is in his best shape ever and the numbers make it hard to disagree.
Still, at his age and with the other similar, younger options at Tuchel’s disposal you imagine the chance has gone regardless of how well the next 100 days play out. Welbeck last played for England in 2018 and I suspect it will remain that way.
Plane chances: 3/10
Danny Welbeck’s chance may have gone having last played for England in 2018, but the Brighton forward has continued to be among the goals
Mateus Mane (Wolves)
In what has been largely a season of despair for soon-to-be relegated Wolves, one ray of light has been the emergence of teenage sensation Mateus Mane. Raw but fearless, he became the club’s youngest Premier League goal scorer with his goal and assist against West Ham in January. I’ve watched him in the flesh a couple of times this season and he commands the ball and dominates games with a confidence that defies his 18 years.
Even a sensational finish to the season is unlikely to be enough to see him included for this World Cup but rest assured we’ll see him at one for England in the future… that is unless Portugal get to him first.
Plane chances: 2/10
Mateus Mane has been a bright spot for Wolves in their nightmare Premier League season
Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
Perhaps the one real area of uncertainty for Tuchel. Miles Lewis-Skelly looked nailed on after his performance at the Bernabeu last year but has barely started for Arsenal this season and Lewis Hall is another fine young prospect at Newcastle who could catch Tuchel’s eye.
England stalwart Luke Shaw has started every Premier League game for Manchester United this season, though, the only player to do so, and appears to have put his injury woes behind him. His consistency, quality and, more than anything, experience on the biggest stage could be invaluable but Tuchel is yet to turn to him at all during his tenure.
Plane chances: 4/10
Luke Shaw’s experience could be vital for England in a problem position, but Thomas Tuchel is yet to turn to the Man United left back
Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
Speaking of experience, there are few who have seen it and done it more often for England in big tournaments than Harry Maguire.
Like Shaw, he hasn’t featured for England under Tuchel, with his last appearance coming under Lee Carsley in September 2024, but Maguire is a leader, is a far, far better player than many of his mocking detractors like to suggest, and has been superb under Michael Carrick since returning from injury.
He’s comfortable on the ball and a huge threat at set pieces, which could be hugely important if Tuchel is right in his belief that corners will be just as decisive at the World Cup as they have been in the Premier League.
Plane chances: 6/10
Harry Maguire would offer an leadership in defence and a threat from set pieces
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
And speaking of set-piece goal threat, how about Everton’s 6ft 5in centre-back? Branthwaite’s last couple of years have been dogged by injury but when at his best is one of the most complete, composed and cultured centre-backs in the country.
He’s rapid for his size and good on the ball, not to mention he’s left-footed which turns centre-backs into high-demand collectors’ items.
Branthwaite will have to beat off competition from the likes of fellow big man Dan Burn, Maguire, Jarell Quansah, John Stones and Trevor Chalobah so the next 100 days could well be crucial.
Plane chances: 5/10
Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered injury problems this season but will hope to push his case in the next 100 days
James Garner (Everton)
Players who can shine in multiple positions are always a handy tool to have at a major tournament and there are few in the top flight more versatile than James Garner.
He’s at home in central midfield but has played at both right and left-back for Everton this season. An elite ball winner, making the most recoveries and interceptions for the Toffees, but also top for passes into the box and among the best chance creators at the club. He dictates tempo. David Moyes said recently he’s the player most likely to become a manager, so there’s a balanced, intelligent head on his shoulders too.
He’s got the quality to make it but he’s never received a call-up and there’s hefty competition for places in his position.
Plane chances: 5/10
James Garner’s versatility would be an asset in a major tournament, but there is hefty competition for places in central midfield
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton)
To complete the hat-trick of Everton outsiders, step forward Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The all-round midfielder has rejuvenated his career after a tricky time at Chelsea and has quickly established himself as a key cog in David Moyes’s midfield machine.
He’s leading the way alongside Jack Grealish – a fourth outsider! – for league goals and assists for the Toffees this season. He can do a bit of everything. Good on the ball, good in the tackle, good in front of goal, good engine. He told Daily Mail Sport recently that he’s spoken to Tuchel ‘once or twice’. ‘He’s been complimentary and told me to stick at it.’ You just wonder, though, whether being good, in the end, will be good enough. Probably not.
Plane chances: 3/10
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall told Daily Mail Sport he has spoken to Tuchel ‘once or twice’, but he remains an outsider to earn a World Cup squad place
Tyler Morton (Lyon)
Liverpool academy graduate turned outcast Tyler Morton is now flourishing in the heart of midfield for French side Lyon. After being on the verge of signing for Bayer Leverkusen under his idol Xabi Alonso, he was urged to stay at Liverpool to fight for his place.
By his own admission, he didn’t earn the ‘trust’ of Arne Slot and was sold for £15m. Now, he’s one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. He’s a metronome. Pass, pass, pass. He keeps the ball moving and sets the tempo. He also knows what it takes to win on the international stage, too, leading the under-21s to Euros glory. His World Cup chances remain remote at this point but he will have gained hope from seeing his U21 team-mate Alex Scott given a call-up.
Plane chances: 3/10
Tyler Morton is flourishing at Lyon but his World Cup chances remain remote at this point
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
Kobbie Mainoo is only 20 but already knows what it’s like to play in a major tournament final, starting in the heart of midfield in England’s defeat to Spain at Euro 2024. Is there still time to convince Tuchel to do the same come the opener against Croatia?
He’s started every league game under Michael Carrick and is showing the kind of temperament and control that was so impressive against the Netherlands less than two years ago. It’s no wonder Tuchel has said he’s ‘absolutely back in the frame’.
He’s the kind of player who gives the creative talents around him the freedom to shine. Tuchel needs those players. Elliot Anderson, his direct rival, is struggling to keep Nottingham Forest in the Premier League while Mainoo is helping take United to the Champions League. In doing so, can he take himself to the World Cup as well? I think he just might.
Plane chances: 7/10
Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence under Michael Carrick could help him earn an England recall
Carl Rushworth (Coventry, on loan from Brighton)
Jordan Pickford’s remarkable save against Newcastle provided another reminder that no one will be usurping him as England’s No1 any time soon. Dean Henderson will likely head to the World Cup as his deputy but the third spot is very much up for grabs.
James Trafford can’t get a game for Manchester City and Nick Pope is not the safe bet as he once was.
Carl Rushworth, meanwhile, has been sensational for Coventry on their march to the Championship crown. Good with the ball at his feet and has pulled off some stunning saves en route to breaking Coventry’s 91-year clean sheet record. It would be a left-field pick but a much-deserved one.
Plane chances: 5/10
Carl Rushworth would be a left-field pick to be third choice goalkeeper, but would deserve it after his performances for Coventry
Harvey Barnes (Newcastle)
It’s another Newcastle winger in Anthony Gordon most used to pulling on an England shirt yet Harvey Barnes continues to throw his own name into the mix.
Five goals apiece in the Premier League and Champions League for Barnes puts him behind only Gordon as the Magpies top scorer in all competitions. He’s a chalk-on-your boots direct winger, which fits the mould for what Tuchel wants from his wingers.
However, of all the positions in the squad, it’s perhaps the most competitive. Not only has he got his team-mate to beat but Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke and even Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden depending on where Tuchel opts to field his front men.
Plane chances: 2/10
