This is a brave new era for England, under German stewardship. It is both exciting and unpredictable, on the eve of the first team announcement of Thomas Tuchel, writes Sky Sports news senior reporter Rob Dorsett.
The new man cannot afford long -term. He has received a 18 -month contract with a single goal: to win the World Cup in 2026.
So when it comes to this squadron announcement, it could be forgiven that he is concentrating here and now, and not about himself with players who will be in their prime for the next euro in 2028.
Tuchel has the reputation to choose older, more experienced players to come up with the backbone of his teams.
That said, he was not afraid of giving young players their chance, in his time as a club manager at three of the largest in Europe – PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, as long as he thinks they are the best current option.
Look at Lewis Hall and Trevor Chalobah (as well as Xavier Simons, Harvey Vale and Jude Soonsup-Bell), who debuts Tuchel Chelsea as an example.
However, we must not forget that Tuchel has a completely different DNA than that of its predecessor.
Tuchel's goal is to win the World Cup 2026
DNA is an appropriate term to use here, because Gareth Southgate was the archetypal FAman, someone who played 57 times for his country, someone who had the “England -path” in his blood, who instinctively believed in the fundamental benefits of all English teams who train side by side in the National Football Center in Star.
After he had been U21S manager his philosophy to promote young people, to develop young players for the future and where possible to slowly integrate the emerging future English stars into the senior set-up.
Tuchel, on the other hand, got the job because of his record of winning large club trophies, his tactical nous and his ability to get teams over the line. The FA has placed all their store in trying to win the World Cup in 2026 with Tuchel at the helm. He will be a very different approach to the role of English manager than Southgate.
The decisions he makes with these team choices should tell us a lot about the kind of England manager Tuchel, and the type of players who become the backbone of his search for large silverware.
Will he record all superstars even if he might have trouble getting them all on the field together? Will he cut one of the loyal grandstands on Drift that Southgate have served for so long? How much does he choose players in the current form compared to general skills? Will he decide on his chosen formation and style, and select the players who best match that system, or adjust his philosophy to the best players in England? How many new faces will there be, if present?
I have been suggested that Tuchel will inform the players fairly late about his decisions – he wants those involved in European matches to concentrate in the first instance on their club football, without distraction. Many will not be told until the end of Thursday or early Friday, it seems. That means fewer leaks in the media and more impact when the FA releases the names.
'The best team in England may not always be the best players'
Trying to guess Tuchel's first squad selection is just as difficult as a task as trying to house Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in the same starting XI. That specific mystery can indicate Tuchel's approach. You suspect that he will not be afraid of bruising egos or dropping the big names while trying to complete his complicated New England puzzle. You hope that his targeted goal is to try to produce the best England team, which may not always include all the best players in England.
He has contacted 55 players to let them know that they are in his mind for a possible call-up-that is standard practice for international meetings, to ensure that no one has been booked double. Tuchel, however, will have to reduce that number by about half when he comes to Wembley to justify his first major decision since he took the biggest job in English football.
What can we expect with that in mind?
Well, he was robbed of some players who would have been certain inclusions if they had been fit: Bukayo Saka, John Stones, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are all injured, just like Jack Grealish, Lewis Hall and Noni Madueke. There are further fitness problems about Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire.
Who could make the head in Tuchel's first team?
The headlines are likely to be achieved by the new, as well as the old one.
Marcus Rashford
The Lennee of Aston Villa has had a new life in Birmingham and I was told that he spoke with Thomas Tuchel. Rashford offers enormous experience – 60 caps, 17 international goals. He also offers something that few of the other broad attacking options of England have – a crowd pace and a capacity to not only get behind opposition distribution, but also to go beyond Harry Kane when the captain is deep to try to dictate. It would surprise me if he was not mentioned in Tuchel's first team.
Ben White
The Arsenal defender is the dream of an international manager because of his versatility. As a center back or as a right back (where the resources of England are stretched to the limit), white is made equal. Tuchel has contacted White and has had a conversation about the possibility of returning to the international fold, in which neither parties revealed the outcome. However, I would be very surprised if White was now called. I am not sure if his heart is tailored to the idea of international football, with him much more focused on his work at Arsenal, after he recently returned from a long -term injury. Southgate said that White had not made itself available for the selection of England – I doubt whether much has changed.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The Arsenal teammate of White is certainly great for the senior team of England. And it is clear that he will be followed quickly in the elite team. The only question is whether Tuchel feels now, the right moment. I think the new manager might think so. Lewis-Skelly is still only 18 and has been criticized for a few results challenges that have sent him away too often. However, Left Back has long been a problem position for England, and not available with Shaw and Hall, he has a strong chance of being admitted. His form and regular involvement for the second best team in the Premier League requirement.
Harry Maguire
Maguire missed the last two games of Manchester United and he will not perform in the Europa League due to an injury. But the stand of England is not yet excluded from the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. I think if he is fit, he will be selected by Tuchel, which would mean a return to the international fold for the first time since September. He would be a controversial inclusion.
Adam Wharton
Back from injury and flying for Crystal Palace – Adam Wharton could be a fixture in Tuchel's future squadrons. He started with the last two Premier League matches and impressed by both. With Kobbie Mainoo wounded and a lack of central midfield options in general, Wharton will feel like his chances, although Palace is wary for the 21-year-old who transfers himself after three and a half months after the surgery of the Lies. Wharton plays pain for most of the season, after he originally picked up the injury while he was gone in England's euro.
Kyle Walker
Perhaps forgotten by some English fans since his move to Serie A, Tuchel has not forgotten him. The German boss has been to Milan more than once to see him play, where he is one of the first names on the team magazine. The best back of this generation of England may have lost a garden of Tempo, but his experience and leadership qualities are invaluable and he is desperate to become only the second black English player who reaches 100 caps. He may get the chance to add to his current count of 93.
Are there any surprises in the store?
What about the possible surprises in the selection of Tuchel? There can be some striking stories.
Djed Spence
A player who cannot be ignored and whose versatility is again a huge bonus – Spence Blonk Back in both the right and left back for Tottenham. With the injury problems of Tuchel elsewhere, he certainly has a strong chance of a call and a possible senior debut in England. That would be a great story of Volharding – Spence waited for almost two years for his chance in Tottenham who was not part of the plans of Antonio Conte (or for a while Postecoglou's Ange). He is now one of the first names on the Spurs team magazine and has forced his way to claim in England.
Ethan Nwaneri
A spectacular breakthrough season for him in Arsenal, he is undoubtedly in the mind of Tuchel. But keep in mind – such as Lewis -S -SKILY – The teenager has not yet been in an English U21S team. The difference between the two Arsenal teammates is one of necessity. Tuchel has very few options left behind – he is ashamed of wealth on both wings. And although it seems certain that the time of Nwaneri will come, it may be more likely that he will be promoted to Lee Carsley's U21s this time.
Liam Delap
There remains a vacancy for the role of Kane's Understudy, and although Ollie Watkins is the obvious first in line, Tuchel will have thought long and hard about which other no. 9 he wants in his ranks. The brilliant form of Delap for a wrestling side of Ipswich has brought it into the frame. Ten Premier League objectives in the lean count of his 26 team is excellent. The Dominic Solanke from Tottenham would be the more obvious selection, especially with Tuchel's need for immediate readiness, but Delap is very much in the conversation.
Danny Welbeck
He couldn't do he? He is 34! But if Tuchel's thinking does not extend further than the World Cup, Welbeck is a feasible option. Two goals in his last three games, eight for the season, he is not productive, but he has been brilliant for Brighton lately and offers much more than just goals. A long chance for England, yes. But he has a chance.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White
Hudson -odoi, who cost Nottingham Forest – extraordinary – only £ 3 million, has looked at him in the meat a few times. Hudson-Odoi, exactly as his teammate Morgan Gibbs white, exactly as his forest mate in one of the strongest and most overrun positions in the ranks of England.
Many will feel that the duo both earn their chance in the national team, but the age-old question remains: would you drop Bellingham, Palmer or Foden to accommodate Gibbs-White on No. 10. And would Hudson-Odoi enter the wing for Rashford, Anthony Gordon or Jarrod Bowen? Unfortunately, there might be no room for them.
Elliott Anderson
As already discussed, England is not blessed with options in midfield. And the Forest Youngster is one of the striking artists in the Premier League this season. We do not yet know whether Tuchel's selection filosophy will be based on the current form or long -term experience, but if it is the first, there are many for Anderson in the pickorder.
James Trafford
An external chance, perhaps, with Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale, the three keepers who are most likely to nod. But Trafford is a Clean -SHeet machine – 25 in 35 games this season, albeit in the championship.
Comments