THOMAS Tuchel has announced England’s squad for the World Cup, and has raised eyebrows across the country with his picks.
With many fans believing many players were unfortunate not to get on the plane, here is a starting 11 of players not picked by the England boss.
Goalkeeper: Jason Steele
Steele has struggled for minutes for Brighton this season, only starting in the cups twice in the FA Cup and three times in the Carabao Cup.
It is no surprise that Trafford, Henderson and Pickford were chosen over him, due to their higher amount of playing time, with even Trafford playing a significant role in Manchester City’s domestic double in the cups.
However, he did get selected in the squad for England’s friendlies against Japan and Uruguay, and despite not getting in a minute, he is my number one pick for goalkeeper, outside the ones picked by Tuchel.
Right Back: Trent Alexender-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold played 21 times for Real Madrid this campaign, getting four assists for the Galacticos, but could not help end their trophy drought.
Despite being a first-time regular for one of the biggest teams in the world, Alexander-Arnold was overlooked for the plane to America, with James, Livramento, O’Reilly, Spence and Burn all being selected ahead of him, as wing-back options.
Personally, I believe James and Alexander-Arnold are our best choices at right back, but hopefully Tuchel and his men prove me wrong this summer.
Centre Backs: Harry Maguire & Levi Colwill
One of the most controversial absentees of England’s World Cup squad, Maguire can find solace i the fact that he was the first name in my team sheet.
Maguire has played a key part in Manchester United’s successful second half of the season under Carrick and has been an ever-present in England’s side in the last couple of tournaments.
Tuchel has favoured centre-backs who operate well as ball-playing centre-backs, as he has named: Quansah, Stones, Konsa and Guehi over the Red Devil’s captain.
Colwill has been injured for most of the season, so, understandably, he missed out, but he is still a good ball-playing centre-back, and in a different reality with a full season of playing under his belt, I could see him making the squad.
Left Back: Lewis Hall
This is the most controversial selection from Tuchel in my book.
It was hard to pick between Hall and Shaw but one thing that is not a hard choice for me is saying one should have been on the plane over Spence.
Even as a Tottenham supporter, Spence may have had a good start to the campaign, but his performances this season have not been anywhere near the level of the two other left-backs mentioned.
Centre Midfielders: Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner
Despite scoring the most goals of ANY England player in the Premier League, with 14 goals, Gibbs-White did not make Tuchel’s team.
This was not the only shock selection in midfield, with Wharton being overlooked to make space for Mainoo, Anderson and … Henderson?
Having Henderson on the plane is probably the strangest of the strange picks by Tuchel, with his best days being behind him.
If Henderson did make the team due to his leadership ability, why did he not just get given some form of coaching role?
Both Gibbs-White and Wharton may use their free summers to push for moves to bigger clubs so their selection in the national team is never in doubt again.
Alongside those two I thought another man who deserved a place on the plane over Henderson, was James Garner.
Everton’s Player of the Season has had a fantastic campaign and was definitely a contender for the squad.
Wingers: Phil Foden & Cole Palmer
The most reputable players left out were Foden and Palmer.
Both had underwhelming seasons by their standards, but with PFA Young Player and PFA Player of the Year trophies under their belts, respectively, their quality is undeniable, and many feel they still deserved a spot on the plane.
Tuchel has preferred Arsenal backup Madueke and Barcelona loanee Rashford in the place which has caused widespread confusion in the nation.
Lucky for them, I recognise quality, and they get into my eleven.
Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
To end this, eleven of the dejected players, I have gone with Calvert-Lewin.
Calvert-Lewin redemption arc did not get the fairytale end of getting on the plane with England, but he should be happy with his campaign.
The Leeds forward has netted 14 goals so far this campaign, being instrumental in Leeds’ survival.
In his place, Tuchel opted for Ivan Toney, who has been in Saudi Arabia the last couple of years, not playing against elite competition.
