England team: Tuchel selects "the right person, the right job"

Looking at the list of 35 players for the England team in this March training camp, it is easy to see that Thomas Tuchel does not select personnel by simply picking the best performers or those in peak form. He needs the most suitable individuals.

From now until the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Croatia in about three months, England will have four friendly matches. Half of these will take place this March, namely two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Tuchel considers these as the final opportunity for testing before finalizing the squad for the trip to the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

Being a star does not guarantee a spot

For any England manager, the dilemma between prioritizing star players or those who fit the tactical system is always a headache. His predecessor Gareth Southgate selected a squad for EURO 2024 packed with stars. What about Tuchel? Looking at his midfield selections, everything indicates the opposite. In recent matches, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa has been the top priority for the number 10 position instead of Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid. Bellingham has actually not played any matches since suffering a hamstring injury earlier last month. He will not be involved in the upcoming match against Uruguay. However, Rogers also will not participate in England's first friendly this month. He is among the 11 players allowed to join the camp later due to having played over 3,500 minutes for his club. Therefore, the match against Uruguay will be an opportunity for Cole Palmer and Phil Foden to prove themselves. Palmer is striving to regain form at Chelsea, and the World Cup chances for the 2002-born forward are quite promising as he could be a quality backup option for Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Meanwhile, Foden will convince Tuchel with his versatility at Manchester City.

So, which position is currently causing Tuchel the most headache for England? The full-back position. During Southgate's time, England had an abundance of quality full-backs. Currently, things are more complicated as England's best full-back, Chelsea's Reece James, is injured, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is not getting regular playing time at Real Madrid this season. Alexander-Arnold starting both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City has not yet convinced Tuchel to call him up for this training camp. This illustrates that the German coach selects individuals suited to his system rather than prioritizing the best player for a particular position. Alexander-Arnold's ability and passing skills are undeniable. However, he is a type of wing-back that is not easy to utilize. On the opposite flank, there is another example. It is not Myle Lewis-Skelly or Luke Shaw; Nico O'Reilly is the left-back Tuchel favors most. However, the Manchester City left-back will only play in the friendly against Japan. Therefore, the opportunity to play left-back in the match against Uruguay belongs to one of two names: Lewis Hall or Djed Spence.

Finding backup options for midfield and attack

What about the midfield? The duo Elliot Anderson-Declan Rice will almost certainly be Tuchel's preferred choice. However, they are also on the list of players allowed to join camp later and will only play in the match against Japan. The upcoming match against Uruguay is an opportunity for Tuchel to finalize backup plans. The scenario of Adam Wharton partnering with Kobbie Mainoo seems interesting but does not guarantee balance. Tuchel is likely to use James Garner, a defensively skilled midfielder. Jordan Henderson, a midfielder included in the list of 35 names for this camp, has strong prospects for the 2026 World Cup partly due to the leadership qualities Tuchel needs.

The story of England's attack this March is finding a backup option for Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker will also only play in the match against Japan. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke will seek to prove themselves if given the opportunity in the upcoming friendly against Uruguay.

After the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Tuchel will have a clear and detailed picture of his personnel before gradually finalizing the list of those who will go to the 2026 World Cup in June. Based on his selections, the German coach will lean towards choosing "the right person, the right job" rather than trying to please all the best-performing players available.