In signing an 18-month contract, Thomas Tuchel is acutely aware of the his assignment as England manager.
The German is not here for a long time and on the evidence of his first three matches in charge, definitely not a fun time. The former Chelsea boss is tasked with finally ending the country’s wait for the ultimate prize in international football. Nothing else will do.
With that aim in mind, his squad selections have certainly raised a few eyebrows, as the likes of Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney have been brought back in from the cold and a host of young Lions have been left waiting for their chance to impress the combustable coach.
England’s drab 1-0 win over Andorra last weekend did little to quiet the dissenting voices that were turned off by the mere prospect of a German leading the English national team.
However unfair those criticisms may have been, after their friendly against Senegal on Tuesday, the World Cup will be just 366 days away and there has been precious little to prove the Three Lions are close to being ready.
Here, our Mail Sport experts Danny Murphy, Chris Sutton and Martin Keown pick the squads they want to see boarding the plane to United States, Canada and Mexico in a years time.
Thomas Tuchel has precious little time to assess his options before the World Cup next year
After Tuesday night’s friendly against Senegal, the World Cup will be just 366 days away
Danny Murphy
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Trafford, Beadle
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, James, Konsa, Guehi, Branthwaite, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly
Midfielders: Rice, Wharton, Jones, Bellingham, Palmer, Gallagher, Foden, Gibbs-White
Forwards: Kane, Delap, Saka, Bowen, Gordon, Rogers, Rashford, Watkins
England need a dynamic and balanced squad to have a successful World Cup.
With Harry Kane our main centre forward, it’s essential he has quick and direct runners either side, namely Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford.
Phil Foden goes as a No 10 or not at all and has Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers ahead of him, although he is worth taking if the final squad size is 26 rather than 23.
Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea boosts his bid as it gives him Champions League football.
The other aspect is squad balance. When you face a Spain or France, where possession will be scarce, Conor Gallagher’s pressing is a fantastic option. Similarly, while there is a lot of competition at centre back, Levi Colwill’s ability to also play at left back gives him an edge.
Murphy believes that the dynamism of Conor Gallagher could be crucial to stop the likes of Spain
Chris Sutton
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Pope
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, James, Guehi, Colwill, Konsa, Burn, Branthwaite, Lewis-Skelly, Hall
Midfielders: Bellingham, Rice, Foden, Wharton, Jones, Gibbs-White
Forwards: Saka, Kane, Palmer, Eze, Watkins, Madueke, Solanke, Rogers
I have had to make big decisions over the Manchester City trio John Stones, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish, plus trusted members of Gareth Southgate’s squads Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Jordan Henderson.
All of them fail to make the cut as I prefer younger blood who are thriving now.
Stones has not been fit recently and Thomas Tuchel seems to like Dan Burn, so I am picking him. Ezri Konsa has to be in and young Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed at Everton. The same goes for why Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James get the nod over Walker.
Grealish is out of form, while Marcus Rashford had a decent loan at Aston Villa — but name one player in my attack he deserves to be in ahead of.
Adam Wharton gets in ahead of Henderson and I like the look of Noni Madueke.
Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones both miss out in Chris Sutton’s England squad
Tino Livramento’s ability to play on both sides of the defence gives him the nod over Reece James
Martin Keown
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale
Defenders: Maguire, Alexander- Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Lewis- Skelly, Colwill, Walker, Livramento
Midfielders: Rice, Jones, Gallagher, Bellingham, Palmer, Rogers, Foden, Eze
Forwards: Saka, Gordon, Madueke, Kane, Watkins, Toney
Thomas Tuchel’s blueprint is to create an extra man in midfield with a full back moving into the space. On the left, Myles Lewis-Skelly has answered some of his prayers with this.
That allows midfielders like Curtis Jones, Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers to move into pockets in the final third. Jones is under pressure for his place, but I like his intelligence.
Reece James’ talent is beyond question, but I have reservations about his fitness. I’ve gone with Tino Livramento, who can play on both sides.
Harry Maguire and John Stones have had injury concerns, too, while Kyle Walker may not play for his club next season, but I’d gamble on their experience. I think England have enough experience without Jordan Henderson, though.
Youngsters like Liam Delap, Adam Wharton, Ethan Nwanieri and Josh Hinshelwood could come into the mix if they have good seasons.
