England will be playing at next summer’s World Cup after qualification was confirmed with a 5-0 win in Latvia.
Two goals from Harry Kane, an own goal and one apiece for Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze cemented their position at the top of Group K, meaning head coach Thomas Tuchell can now turn his attention to preparations for North America.
But who makes his squad for the finals, and does it include Jude Bellingham? Here, our chief football reporter, CRAIG HOPE, takes you through the contenders…
On the plane
For all we don’t expect Tuchel to make too many changes to the squad chosen for these October internationals – those selected have again justified inclusion – the gang of absolute certainties up front in business class is still relatively small.
Captain HARRY KANE will lead the boarding process. Tuchel loves him, evidenced by the manager mimicking the striker’s trademark celebration in training this week. Kane is a big name but he is also a solid character who cares about the team ethos Tuchel is so determined to instil. The manager knows that Kane leads in his own way – less vocal than more traditional captains – but there is no doubt whatsoever about the first name on his squad list.
Sat either side of the skipper in the row A will be JORDAN PICKFORD and DECLAN RICE. Indeed, they are perhaps even more of a guaranteed World Cup starter than Kane, who Tuchel accepts will have to be managed carefully to get the best out of him in the sweatbox of North America.
Tuchel’s best XI, however, undoubtedly has Pickford, Rice and Kane running through its spine. The other name making up the quartet of certainties, if fit and perhaps even regardless of form, is BUKAYO SAKA.
Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, and Declan Rice comprise the only nailed-on members of England’s spine
Bukayo Saka is the only other star who should be a certainty provided he is fit
On the runway
They’re on the Tarmac waiting for the nod to board, and this group is made up of those who have been involved during the past week and will make the World Cup if fit and not falling horribly out of form.
Let us start with ELLIOT ANDERSON. His performances have been so good across four consecutive games that it would be a surprise were he not to start, never mind make the squad.
Tuchel seems him as his Rodri, an anchoring presence in midfield but not one who is anchored to that domain – Anderson can be a No.6, 8 and 10, all the while giving the team the dependable foil to Rice that has been so badly needed for so long.
Sticking with those who would be in Tuchel’s best XI were he to name it now, MARC GUEHI is a player who Tuchel had some doubts about – primarily over aggression – but he has won over the coach with his reading of the game and distribution, coupled with a likeable and mature persona.
Tuchel, meanwhile, has always had a soft spot for JOHN STONES, who he sees as England’s best all-round defender. He needs to maintain a club presence this season, but he and Guehi are emerging as the preferred pairing at centre-back.
EZRI KONSA might have something to say about that – he impressed in place of the rested Guehi in Riga – and has shown himself to be a reliable performer for his country.
DAN BURN also looks set for North America, given Tuchel has been so taken by his character and sees the value of his height from set-pieces, even if that is as a substitute come the finals.
Burn’s Newcastle club-mate ANTHONY GORDON rivalled Kane for the star-man plaudits in Latvia, and it was a timely moment to produce his best England performance from 16 caps. He looks set to travel at the very least now.
Elliot Anderson looks increasingly likely to take a spot after being one of England’s stand-out performers since breaking into the side
Marc Guehi has won over Thomas Tuchel after initial doubts with his football IQ and maturity
Anthony Gordon probably has a place after producing his best England performance in Latvia
Tuchel’s continued selection of JORDAN HENDERSON tells us that he will make the squad, especially now he’s back playing in the Premier League. The coach has not committed so whole heartedly to the idea of Henderson the ‘standard-bearer’ to abandon it now.
Further forward, MORGAN ROGERS had looked to have grasped his opportunity in the absence of Bellingham, at least until a subdued showing against Latvia. But before that he had done very well, and Tuchel will like him for that.
Had he flopped, there would have been criticism of the manager for his handling of Bellingham. Rogers, you suspect, will be rewarded for those performances.
His club-mate OLLIE WATKINS will also be included, in part because there are so few alternatives at centre-forward. He also has that semi-final goal against Netherlands at Euro 2024 to his name, and Tuchel knows such moments could settle tight games next summer.
And, finally, it seems almost certain that DEAN HENDERSON and JAMES TRAFFORD will make up the trio of goalkeepers.
The fact that Tuchel keeps picking Jordan Henderson indicates that he is likely to make it
On the bus
This gang aren’t at the foot of the aircraft steps just yet, but they’re not far away. The lingering doubt is the competition in their positions.
MARCUS RASHFORD still needs to improve his output to convince Tuchel, but the manager has been taken by his application and talent in training.
EBERECHI EZE just about squeezes through the doors to join Rashford in this group – especially after a fine goal in Latvia – but he still has a little bit to prove for his country, especially if Bellingham does return.
Eze’s Arsenal comrade MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY is well liked by Tuchel and he, too, would appear more likely than not to make the finals.
Marcus Rashford’s form for Barcelona puts him right in contention amid a packed forward line
At the gate
Here we have those not involved in this camp but who would expect to be at the World Cup. Where else to start than JUDE BELLINGHAM? But here is the kicker – if Tuchel does not include him for next month’s November internationals then I think that is the death knell for his World Cup hopes.
The likelihood is he will return and Tuchel will hope that, by leaving him out this time and repeatedly airing his want for spirit and good team-mates, the message gets through to a player whose temperament he has reservations about.
REECE JAMES, meanwhile, is a Tuchel favourite who will travel if fit, and COLE PALMER is surely too good to ignore if rediscovering his club rhythm.
NONI MADUEKE was brilliant in Serbia last month and he and Arsenal team-mate Saka seem to be options one and two from the right of a front three. TINO LIVRAMENTO also started and impressed in Belgrade and Tuchel values his versatility.
If Tuchel does not include Jude Bellingham in his November squad, that is a death knell for his World Cup hopes
Sweating in the queue for security
Let us deal first with those who were part of the current squad. DJED SPENCE has done very well but the likes of James and Livramento would probably be ahead of him if fit, although that still leaves a fourth full-back berth for which Spence is favourite.
MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE is still waiting for his ‘wow’ England moment or performance, and he would be under threat if Bellingham and Palmer were to return. Likewise RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK.
JARROD BOWEN is a perennial squad member but exists on the fringe of it, making him vulnerable to a returning star or the emergence of a new one in the second half of the season.
Defenders JARELL QUANSAH and NICO O’REILLY were part of the group this past week but they remain uncapped and are even more exposed than Bowen when it comes to others returning.
Those not with this squad, but who should also be nervous, include full backs KYLE WALKER and LEWIS HALL, as well as midfielders ADAM WHARTON, CURTIS JONES and CONOR GALLAGHER.
Walker’s poor showing against Senegal in June probably means his England days are over barring injuries, whilst Hall, Wharton, Jones and Gallagher are contenders who perhaps need a bit of good fortune. In the case of Wharton, Jones and Gallagher, it could be that three goes into one for a deep-lying midfield spot. Tuchel, though, has doubts about Wharton’s running power.
Newcastle goalkeepers NICK POPE and AARON RAMSDALE, meanwhile, will need one of the trio currently in the squad to suffer a loss of form or fitness in the coming months.
Kyle Walker’s poor showing against Senegal in June probably means his England days are over
Djed Spence has done well but is probably behind Reece James and Tino Livramento in the pecking order
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still waiting for the ‘wow’ England performance to stake a claim
Big names trying to buy a ticket
There is none bigger than PHIL FODEN from those yet to be mentioned. He was involved with Tuchel’s first squad in March and has not been seen since, despite his return to form for Manchester City this season.
That feels informative and it would appear others are ahead of him in the pecking order. Foden, more than any other, is the clearest example of the best players not making the best team under Tuchel’s approach.
The clamour for JACK GREALISH will only grow louder the more he plays – and plays well – for Everton. However, Tuchel is exploring other options and Grealish has never been included under him – it would be a surprise were that to change.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is the last of those who will take up a lot of column inches in the coming months. However, there remains a suspicion that Tuchel just isn’t that sold on Bellingham’s Real Madrid team-mate, who will more than likely struggle for game-time in Spain when he returns from injury.
Phil Foden has not been seen for England since March and may be suffering from Tuchel’s mantra that the best players do not make the best team
There remains a suspicion that Tuchel simply isn’t sold on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jack Grealish has never been included under Tuchel, but he is in his best form again
Save the date
Here are those who will not expect to go as it stands, but would be advised to hold off on booking a summer holiday. In no particular order; LEVI COLWILL, LUKE SHAW, TREVOR CHALOBAH, RICO LEWIS, JARRAD BRANTHWAITE and DOMINIC SOLANKE. They are all perhaps only one injury away from coming into the reckoning.
Book a holiday
Lads, it ain’t happening. For a variety of reasons, the following players are extremely unlikely to be in the States – HARRY MAGUIRE, IVAN TONEY, ANGEL GOMES and KOBBIE MAINOO.
And the wildcard…
MAX DOWMAN. It’s not Tuchel’s style, but should he have a Sven-Goran Eriksson-like impulse, a la Theo Walcott in 2006, then Arsenal teenager Dowman is the most appealing of the pups.
Harry Maguire is among the players who may as well just book a holiday
Arsenal starlet Max Dowman is an extreme wildcard but it is highly unlikely that he goes
Prepare for take-off
The squad size is yet to be confirmed, but if we work to 26 – like the 2022 World Cup – here are the names we believe would make Tuchel’s group were he to name it now (assuming all fit)…
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Dan Burn, Reece James, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen
