It has not been a good week for England manager Thomas Tuchel. A 35-man camp and two games against beatable opposition, at home, were meant to help him pick who should be heading to the World Cup this summer.
Instead, widespread ineptitude, injury concerns and failed experimentation has given him an almighty headache less than two months before his summer squad announcement.
The past few days of mediocrity did at least help Tuchel rule out some who blew their chance to make a last-minute claim for a starting spot against Croatia on 17 June, the big winners being those who did not kick a ball against Uruguay and Japan.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford’s place in the starting XI is virtually assured (Photo: Getty)
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Centre-back: Harry Maguire
At this stage, it is by no means a given Maguire will go to the United States. Tuchel, somewhat unnecessarily, admitted the Manchester United veteran is well down the pecking order currently, but overcoming adversity is nothing new for a resurgent Maguire. No English central defender has the experience Maguire possesses, is in as good form and, more pertinently, plays with anything like the same desire when pulling on the England.
Centre-back: Marc Guehi
This is arguably the weakest set of centre-backs England has produced in history, where Marc Guehi, who is yet to really find his feet at Manchester City, is the automatic starter, without hesitation. Playing alongside Ezri Konsa, in a major tournament, hardly inspires confidence, but next to Maguire, Guehi has the perfect example to follow.
Left-back: Nico O’Reilly
Nico O’Reilly faces plenty of competition from rivals for the left-back position (Photo: Getty)
Perhaps against stronger opposition, Tuchel may elect to go with a left-back option who is stronger defensively than O’Reilly, but his emergence this season as one of those Pep Guardiola full-backs with a penchant for cutting inside and offering a real attacking threat has to propel the City youngster to the forefront of the German’s plans. Especially for a team whose natural default is to be difficult to beat, rather than on the front foot.
Defensive midfield: Declan Rice
Rice’s absence was hard-felt over the past few games, despite the plentiful other alternatives in central midfield. The Arsenal star is one of the few genuinely world-class options available to England. The only concern is burnout, after a brutal season competing for honours on four fronts for the Gunners.
Defensive midfield: Elliot Anderson
An absolute shoo-in. Anderson is ubiquitous and can form the most formidable midfield pairing in the entire tournament this summer. The Nottingham Forest star can do everything, and his all-action style, as we saw in spells against Japan, could be the difference between success and failure this summer.
Attacking midfield: Jude Bellingham
Right wing: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is another who has nailed down his spot in the team in recent years (Photo: Getty)
Hardly in the form of his life, Saka also benefitted from others flattering to deceive against Uruguay and Japan. Saka is also one of the more experienced members of the team that will stand him in good stead this summer. It could be quite the few months for the Arsenal star.
Left wing: Marcus Rashford
The only spot in the forward line up for debate should go to Rashford. Anthony Gordon will be many other’s pick, but having offered nothing against Japan, amid a middling campaign for Newcastle, he simply does not deserve a starting berth against Croatia. Rashford needs minutes between now and June, which he should get at Barcelona after Raphinha’s injury. Even if only sparingly, Rashford offered the only willingness to run at defenders over the past few games – endeavour that should earn him the call.
Striker: Harry Kane
Never has England depended on one man more in history. Wrap Kane up in cotton wool, as any injury could cause a national collapse to dwarf anything a fuel shortage could conjure. It is not hyperbolic to suggest how Kane performs this summer will decide how deep England go.
