Thomas Tuchel says he is “very confident” he has picked the right squad for England at the FIFA World Cup after leaving out Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It’s one of the biggest calls by a national team manager in recent memory, although the decision to leave them at home is an understandable one. Palmer, Foden and Alexander-Arnold have all struggled with some combination of injury, a lack of gametime or poor form this season.
They were not the only high-profile omissions, as Harry Maguire, Morgan Gibbs-White, Luke Shaw and Adam Wharton all missed out on inclusion. That led to a lot of “painful conversations” for Tuchel, but the German coach admitted he likes making these decisions as provides “clarity” and a “certain edge” to the team.
Tuchel explains Palmer, Foden and Alexander-Arnold decision
“I’m very confident in the group we chose,” the England boss said at Friday’s squad announcement. “Very difficult decisions. Painful conversations. Difficult to explain to the players. But what we try to achieve we achieve as a team.
“If everyone is selected, it’s a given we have to leave some extraordinary players, personalities at home.
“I like these decisions – even if they took us weeks, months – they bring clarity, a certain edge that is necessary.
“For some of them it’s just the amount of players in a certain position. We want to give [the players] a clear role.”
Jude Bellingham will vye with Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for the no.10 role that Palmer and Foden hoped to be assuming at the World Cup, although Eze will more likely be competing for minutes on the left or right of the attack.
On Bellingham and Rogers, Tuchel said: “They are two of the names of potential starters on the same position. They can also play together. If they compete for one position, it is possible as accomplices, you don’t have to be enemies. They are friends anyway.
“Bukayo (Saka) and Noni (Madueke) fight for the same place in the club. You can fight and push your friend to the best possible performance.
Although Alexander-Arnold’s absence was not a shock, it was surprising that Djed Spence took his place in the squad. The Tottenham full-back, who can play on the left and the right, has made just one start since Roberto De Zerbi took over as manager last month, but Tuchel says he proved himself in the March international break when he started against Uruguay.
“He was excellent in every match he played for us. He suffers from a third change of coach at his club, since then he doesn’t get a lot of minutes. He suffers from the situation, is part of the situation at Tottenham.
“He loves defending, he’s the fastest player in our squad and he loves defending one-on-ones. That’s what makes him a special full-back for us. He can play both sides.
“Before the March camp we said ‘you don’t get the minutes [with Spurs]’ if you come here you have to prove yourself again. And Djed and Tino were excellent against Uruguay. That was the decision I could really trust him.”
