Thomas Tuchel has no fears after omitting star names from England’s World Cup squad

LONDON – Thomas Tuchel said on May 22 he does not fear leaving “extraordinary talents” out of England’s World Cup squad, boldly stating his aim is to win the tournament.

The German manager omitted a clutch of big names for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which included stars Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Harry Maguire, Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White and Luke Shaw are others overlooked as Gareth Southgate’s successor made an eye-catching selection.

England are among the favourites to win the tournament, 60 years after they won their only major international trophy at the World Cup in 1966.

Tuchel insisted the make-up of his squad was more important than picking stars.

“From Day 1 we were very clear that we are trying to select and build the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select the best 26 most talented players,” he said at a press conference at Wembley.

“Teams win championships, it’s as simple as that.”

The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss admitted that he had to make painful decisions but said he had “no fear” over his choices.

“It was a given that from these 55 players (in the provisional squad), we have to leave some extraordinary talents and extraordinary personalities at home,” he said.

The 52-year-old added: “I like these kind of decisions, even if it took us weeks and sometimes months to verify the decisions. I think they bring clarity, I think they bring a certain edge in the end that is necessary.”

Tuchel, appointed with a brief to win the World Cup, also said that he wanted to create a “brotherhood” and believes England have world-class players to make a difference.

“The goal is to try to win it and not be shy about it, and then just to respect the game and the opponents and the amount and the obstacles that come with the tournament itself,” he said.

“I heard recently a quote from Rafael Nadal who said, ‘I’m not a winner, I’m a competitor, I’m a challenger’.

“That is basically how I arrive in the US for this tournament. I’m hungry, I arrive with hunger, I arrive with excitement, and I arrive as a competitor and as a challenger.

“And I think that is the role for us as a team, that is how I want the team to play, this is how I want the team to develop, and this is why we picked that squad, and that’s why I’m so sure that we picked the right squad.”

Saudi-based Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney has been a surprise inclusion.

He made an impact off the bench at Euro 2024, but has played only two minutes of international football since after moving to Saudi Arabia that year.

He was picked against the likes of Foden and Palmer, who both played a major role in England’s run to the final of the Euro, which they lost 2-1 to Spain.

City’s Foden and Chelsea’s Palmer have paid the price for poor seasons with their clubs.

Veteran Brentford midfielder and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has also been included at the expense of Crystal Palace’s Wharton.

Manchester United defender Maguire said on May 21 he was shocked at not being included.

“I was confident I could (have) played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had,” the 33-year-old posted on social media.

“I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision.”

Instead of Maguire, Tuchel has taken a risk on centre-back John Stones despite his lack of involvement at City during an injury-hit season.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17, before playing Ghana on June 23 and Panama four days later.
AFP, REUTERS

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento, Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)