LONDON — Thomas Tuchel will name his first England squad since the World Cup on Friday, and the decision centres on three headline omissions from his tournament squad in May. Having stated publicly that England's DNA does not allow for ball-retaining passers, can he continue to leave Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold in exile? The selection is the first staging post of his brave new post-World Cup era. Tuchel is not a man to admit he was wrong, and the self-belief that gives him his aura makes a recall a lose-lose — seen as proof he got it wrong in May if he brings them back, and criticised if he leaves them out again.
Palmer is the most likely to return. The Chelsea man has two goals and two assists in the Premier League so far this season, with only teammate Joao Pedro ahead of him for goal contributions and only Bruno Fernandes ahead of him for chances created and shots combined, 25 to Palmer's 24. A space may have opened with Eberechi Eze's indifferent form for Arsenal — starting in Europe and the Carabao Cup but yet to start in the Premier League — while Morgan Gibbs-White is also in with a shout after an impressive start. Tuchel constantly talks about "connections" as the key to England's success, and right now there is arguably no better attacking connection in the Premier League than Palmer and close friend Morgan Rogers, certainly not an all-English one.
Foden and Alexander-Arnold face more complicated paths. Despite his sending off in the Manchester derby last weekend, Foden has started the season in fine form and leads the Premier League in assists after a ball carry with two, alongside Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso, and remains the most technically adept English player with the ball at his feet. Alexander-Arnold may struggle to force his way back despite the glaring right-back issues Tuchel faced at the World Cup, when Reece James and Tino Livramento both suffered injuries and centre-back Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a late replacement for Livramento instead. The Real Madrid star has started only two LaLiga games this season yet has six successful crosses, more than all but two defenders in the league, but Tuchel has been adamant his profile does not suit how he wants England to play and that defensive prowess matters more.
Injuries have opened opportunities at the back. John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White are absent due to injury, and James has missed Chelsea training this week but has not been ruled out. Harry Maguire, 33, still feels unlikely to get the nod for a recall after speaking out in frustration about his World Cup omission the day before Tuchel publicly named the squad, a move not well received by the England hierarchy, despite being ever-present and impressive in Manchester United's four league games and ranking third in the Premier League for ball-carrying. Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall — another controversial omission from the World Cup squad — is expected to get a chance in the Nations League after leading the Premier League for winning possession in the defensive third with 19 and ranking fifth for successful blocks with five. Kobbie Mainoo, who did not play a minute at the World Cup and was thoroughly disillusioned by the end, is also a strong candidate; he was expected to be selected for the third-place play-off but back pain in the final training session ruled him out.
Up front, Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is pushing hard for a recall after an explosive start, with his double against Newcastle on Monday taking him to four goals in six games. His main rival Ollie Watkins is now playing in the Saudi Pro League after his move to Al Hilal, where he has started in sparkling form with three goals and two assists in four appearances. Ivan Toney, the surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be considered for selection this time as he is due to be in court in Westminster in the middle of the international window. The squad announcement arrives amid continued scrutiny of Tuchel's direction, as detailed in Thomas Tuchel Must Win Back England Trust Ahead of Spain Clash.