Opinion: Thomas Tuchel’s September England selection shows he’s far from a settled XI

Contributing writer, Max Pollen, provide his opinion on Thomas Tuchel’s recent squad selection for England. Amid player injuries and some controversial omissions, there appears to be a lack of clarity ahead of the World Cup. While certain players are mainstays, the overall lineup appears overly familiar and lacking in experimentation.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection for matches against Andorra and Serbia has raised a few eyebrows including my own.

Due to injuries the German is without Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Adam Wharton, however Phil Foden missed the boat on his own accord. Foden is yet to start a match for Manchester City this season.

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek earnt his first call up since 2018, replacing the injured Wharton. Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson made the cut for the first time. Two players who bring a lot of energy and athleticism to the squad.

Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford retained their places, with Jack Greakish perhaps unfortunate to miss out after a sparkling start to life at Everton.

Tuchel’s squad feels a touch safe and familiar. He seems to have his favourites and some ties to former club Chelsea. The inclusions of Reece James and Loftus-Cheek did not feel necessary.

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Henderson’s latest inclusion in the squad did not surprise me, however it was disappointing. His leadership attributes are useful, but the Brentford man is past his sell-by date and his time with the national team should have ended at the same time Gareth Southgate’s did.

With just nine months until England’s first World Cup match, I think Tuchel is far from knowing his preferred starting 11. I think that just six players are certainties at this stage. These players are captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Marc Guehi and Jordan Pickford.

This leaves five starting spots open, three of these being in defensive positions.

Tuchel clearly favours James as his first choice right back, but we all know that injury problems may well end up ruling him out of contention. After James, I don’t think Tuchel has a clue who his second choice is, nor his preferred left back and second centre back.

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We have seen a lot of rotation and no consistency in his four matches as England manager. Kyle Walker who started England’s last match at right back has not even been called up to the squad this time around.

Whilst I do think Tuchel was and is the man for the job, I have been concerned by both his selections and the performances so far. I don’t think either have met expectations.

England’s last two matches included a loss to Senegal and a narrow win against Andorra. Two underwhelming outcomes and performances, without much if not any experimenting.

One of the biggest question marks over England’s lineup is who will be starting next to Rice in the midfield pivot. Henderson started one of the matches, with Conor Gallagher the other.

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Two players who we are certain of will not be starters at the World Cup.

The role is screaming out for Adam Wharton, yet he was not even called up for the squad. This time around he has been, yet injury has denied him his chance.

Had Wharton been given the nod for the last two fixtures it would have given Tuchel an earlier look at him and much more preparation prior to next year’s World Cup if he had been impressed with what he saw.

The World Cup will be here before we know it and it is a race against time for Tuchel to have a clear idea of what his starting team and squad will be.

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Written by Max Pollen