Thomas Tuchel has told his England stars it remains all to play for as they vie for a place on the plane to the United States for this summer’s World Cup.
The Three Lions boss took the surprising step to name a mega 35-man squad for the final round of international fixtures before the tournament proper, offering his players a last chance to impress before he picks his 26-strong group.
It means that nine players who will feature this month will not join the touring party, while those who have not made the 35-man squad will hope that a final flourish of form will tempt Tuchel to crowbar them into his thinking.
So, who do our experts predict will make the squad?
Thomas Tuchel opted for a broad 35-man squad for the final international break before the World Cup
Ian Ladyman
I think that despite all that we have seen in today’s 35-man squad, Thomas Tuchel will ultimately stick with the players he knows and likes.
Tuchel has had reservations about Harry Maguire for a while and I am not sure he will shake them. And will Kobbie Mainoo really usurp one of Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton and Declan Rice? Once again, I can’t see it.
The one name I can’t quite get my head round is Phil Foden. He has absolutely no form and unless something remarkable happens I don’t see him playing much football between now and the end of May.
That would normally rule a player out but Foden does have versatility and, as such, I wonder if he may just sneak in ahead of someone like Jarrod Bowen.
Ian’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale
Defenders: James, Livramento, Guehi, Konsa, Burn, Hall, O’Relily, Quansah, Spence
Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Anderson, Wharton, Bellingham, Rogers, Palmer
Forwards: Kane, Gordon, Rashford, Saka, Eze, Madueke, Bowen
The German faces a dilemma when it comes to the selection of the out-of-form Phil Foden
Jack Gaughan
There aren’t many major decisions to make in truth. The injured Reece James obviously comes in for the World Cup but aside from that, it’s hard to see who forces a way into the reckoning if they’re not included in such a huge March camp.
I think midfield will be between Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton, while Thomas Tuchel has three options for both right and left back and five at centre half thanks to the versatility of Tino Livramento and Ezri Konsa.
Jarrod Bowen or a more traditional No 9 is potentially an interesting one but Anthony Gordon’s played through the middle. Phil Foden is struggling for minutes at Manchester City and in his most concerning patch of the season but more viable options seem limited.
Jack’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford
Defenders: Burn, Guehi, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, Maguire, O’Reilly, James, Stones
Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Henderson, Mainoo, Rice, Rogers
Forwards: Bowen, Eze, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Saka
Kieran Gill
One man who was not named in today’s England squad, but will definitely go to the World Cup if fit by then as hoped, is Reece James. Thomas Tuchel loves him, and he is an exceptional right back who can also be used in midfield.
The likes of Dan Burn and Phil Foden miss out in my predicted 26, as does Dominic Solanke as I’m currently plumping for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
I feel bad for Jarrod Bowen. I think he should go to the World Cup, but I suspect he will not once the final squad is whittled down.
Kieran’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders: Guehi, Maguire, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, O’Reilly, Stones, James
Midfielders: Anderson, Mainoo, Bellingham, Henderson, Rice, Rogers, Wharton
Forwards: Eze, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Rashford, Saka, Calvert-Lewin
Tuchel loves Reece James and will hope the Chelsea defender can return to fitness
Craig Hope
The only player to come back into the squad (from the 35 named today!) will likely be Reece James. If he proves his fitness, it could be Djed Spence who misses out.
Tuchel likes John Stones and the recall of Harry Maguire would suggest he will be going to the World Cup. That means five centre-backs and four full-backs.
The big call he has to make, if going with nine defenders, is which of his No.10s to leave out. You’d think that one of Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze or Phil Foden has to miss out, and on current form that would be Foden.
Craig’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford
Defenders: Burn, Guéhi, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, Maguire, Spence, Stones, James
Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Henderson, Rice, Wharton
Forwards: Bowen, Eze, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Rashford, Saka, Rogers
Harry Maguire and John Stones should force their way into the 26-man squad
Matt Barlow
Much hinges on the fitness of James. With him fit and sure to start as the right back it offers flexibility on the left with Livramento, O’Reilly (or Hall) and Burn all able to play there. Which in turn gives Tuchel scope to load his squad with a feast of options up front.
He will know what he considers the bedrock of his team and will be thinking of changes from the bench. Who is useful if he needs a goal? What can he change if he is hanging on under pressure? Who takes a penalty? Maguire comes into this equation because he is strong on set pieces at both ends and a veteran of tournament football.
The flair players are on audition. Form and fitness will play a part. Still think Watkins might get the nod on the basis of reliability compared to Calvert-Lewin or Solanke… and unless the England boss thinks he can go to the World Cup without a back-up specialist centre forward and rely on Gordon, Bowen or Rashford to cover Kane, it looks very much like Palmer or Foden are in competition for the final number 10 slot.
Matt’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Pickford, D. Henderson, Trafford
Defenders: James, Livramento, Burn, Guehi, Konsa, Stones, Maguire, O’Reilly
Midfielders: Anderson, Rice, J.Henderson, Wharton, Bellingham
Forwards: Rogers, Gordon, Saka, Bowen, Madueke, Eze, Palmer, Kane, Watkins, Rashford
James Sharpe
This is very much the squad I think Thomas Tuchel will take, not the one I think he should. I think he should take Harry Maguire, who has all the experience you need, is a threat from set pieces and has been excellent for United this season but I worry that he just loves Dan Burn too much.
I’d still like to find a place for Trent Alexander-Arnold as it’s not like we’re blessed with an abundance of Ashley Coles but from listening to his comments, I just don’t see it happening.
He’s just going to take Jordan Henderson, isn’t he? He might only carry the drinks but just think of how inspirationally and knowledgeably he’ll carry them.
I think it’ll be a shootout between Adam Wharton and James Garner. I really think the Everton man will impress Tuchel greatly with his versatility as well as his quality but, right now, I’m sticking with Wharton.
Phil Foden is the biggest omission here but of all the England managers in recent years, Tuchel feels like the one who will be honest enough to acknowledge that, for whatever reason, Foden has never done it for England so why take him.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn is the player Tuchel ‘just loves too much’
The one selection where I’m, perhaps, going with my heart over my head is Jarrod Bowen. He is by far England’s most consistent winger in terms of his repeated goals and assists but rarely inspires the passion and clamour of other, flashier wide men. And he does it in a really poor West Ham team, week in, week out. That’s got to count for something, though could well count against him. You watch, Noni Madueke will probably go instead.
It doesn’t look good that Ollie Watkins has been left out of the 35-man squad, with Tuchel saying he already has a very clear picture of the Villa striker. Yes, he’s using it to look at Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but I think he’ll conclude that Watkins, at his best, is the pick of the three
James’ World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale
Defenders: Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Burn, James, Hall, O’Reilly, Livramento
Midfielders: Henderson, Wharton, Bellingham, Anderson, Rice, Rogers, Palmer
Forwards: Madueke, Bowen, Gordon, Rashford, Eze, Saka, Watkins, Kane
Oliver Holt
I think Reece James will be in the final squad because even though he’s an injury risk, he’s a Tuchel favourite and he’ll be desperate to take him. I wonder if Djed Spence might miss out because some see him as a disruptive influence – witness the way he and Micky van de Ven walked past Thomas Frank earlier this season – and Tuchel can’t afford discord at the tournament. I’d take Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of the right backs but I’m pretty sure Tuchel won’t.
I think Adam Wharton ought to go but I’m not sure Tuchel’s his biggest fan and I can see Garner and Mainoo sneaking in ahead of him. I think Henderson will go because he’s having a fine season at Brentford and Tuchel sees him as important to squad unity.
I’m an admirer of Calvert-Lewin but I have doubts about whether his fitness will hold up until the end of the season. Watkins is very unlucky to have been left out of this squad and I think he’ll force his way back in. I fear Jarrod Bowen is destined to miss out right in the final reckoning.
Oliver’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale, Henderson
Defenders: James, Livramento, Guehi, Konsa, Maguire, Stones, O’Reilly, Hall.
Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Garner, Henderson, Mainoo, Rice, Rogers.
Forwards: Watkins, Eze, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Rashford, Saka.
Tom Collomosse
Some might be surprised to see Morgan Gibbs-White omitted altogether but it is believed Thomas Tuchel and his staff have never been sure about the Nottingham Forest man’s qualities.
I would expect James Trafford and Aaron Ramsdale to miss out as it would seem strange to call a wildcard like Jason Steele and not take him.
Don’t be surprised if Adam Wharton misses out as he is another Tuchel is not sold on. It would be great to see James Garner make the trip after a fabulous season with Everton but he faces an uphill battle.
Tuchel and his coaching staff have never been fully convinced about Morgan Gibbs White
Among the forwards, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka look nailed-on and in the end, it is hard to imagine Phil Foden or Cole Palmer staying at home.
Tom’s World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Steele
Defenders: Guehi, James, Hall, Konsa, Livramento, Maguire, O’Reilly, Spence, Stones
Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Henderson, Mainoo, Rice, Rogers.
Forwards: Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Madueke, Palmer, Rashford, Saka.
