.png)
9 hours ago
9
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
That’s all from me for now. I’m handing over to the very capable Luke McLaughlin.
Away from the national team call ups, we also have Premier League and League Cup games to look forward to. Here are the talking points going into the weekend.
Who do you think Tuchel should start as England’s no. 10 at the World Cup?
Tuchel on England's no. 10: 'We will have to make a tough call'
We need clarity around every position. It is unlikely that we bring three, four or five players for one position. That will confuse everyone. The choice between world-class players in the number 10 means at some point we will have to make a tough call. The competition is on [in March], but we will share it.
Here’s Rick Harris’ opinion on Luke Shaw:
I find the omission of Luke Shaw extraordinary unless the player himself has called time on his international career. Shaw is defensively better than Lewis Hall or Livramento and I would question the assertion that he isn’t able to get forward as much as he previously did. He has played most of United’s games this season so the injury argument is rather flawed. The thing that swings it for Shaw however is his ability to play at centre back so that versatility ought to be a no brainer. I agree with Maguire and Mainoo being recalled but Shaw has been more impressive this season than either of those two. Livramento has barely featured for Newcastle incidentally.
A message from Tim Talbot:
Danny Welbeck has gotta feel hard done by. Comes across as a calm, experienced guy who could be an asset to the squad at a World Cup; and in the form he’s currently in, pop up with a few extra time goals.
I agree, he’s made a great case to be included. He’s older than the other options but I’d count on him to roll back the years.
Here’s Kirsty McNally’s response to the previous comments about John Stones:
John Stones is not diminished he is one of the best players in England. He is fit. What he needs is games. Should he get that between now and the World Cup it is a no brainer he starts.
Tuchel refuses to rule out Dowman for the World Cup
David Hytner
While Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman is not named in the group, Tuchel did not rule out the 16-year-old’s chances of forcing his way into the squad for the World Cup.
He has put himself into the spotlight,” he said. “He’s a fantastic talent. The reality is he’s not a regular starter. He’s in the best environment possible, learning from the very best. We always have the chance to call him up for the World Cup. There is no need to call him up now to increase the pressure but we have all the options.
When asked about Alexander-Arnold’s omission, Tuchel went on to say:
I know it’s a tough one, I know it’s a big name. He’s a huge talent with a big career. The right-backs (we have) offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold), the evidence is we were good in September-November than anything from Trent. I played many times against him and suffered many times when he played against my teams. I know very well his strengths and what he can give.
Tuchel: 'It's a tough decision for Trent'
I know that it’s a tough decision for Trent, as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come with the job. It’s a sporting decision that we stick with Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence who can play for us at right-back. It is a decision for Dom Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who I don’t know as well as Ollie Watkins. I feel I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us so I want to have a look at two other players.
A thought from Paul Haynes:
In terms of longer term thinking, Jobe Bellingham might be picked to gain experience with the senior squad at this stage as he seems to be improving rapidly at Dortmund and looks like a future England captain, although this World Cup is perhaps a little too soon; however, he won’t be exhausted after along hard season like some of the alternative choices in the box to box role – a plus in the hot temperatures expected throughout the tournament. Just a thought.
A message from Jonathan McKinley:
I’m surprised that Morgan Gibbs-White isn’t in. For me he has been a more energetic and effective player than either Foden or Palmer this season.
It’s a good point. Cole Palmer hasn’t looked the same since his groin injury and Phil Foden has been anonymous for the majority of the season.
Here’s a message from Geoff Wignall:
If you’re right in thinking that Shaw has been omitted because of his history of injury problems, it’s hard to understand the inclusion of Stones. They’re of similar age and seem to have had similar numbers of injuries. I think it’s more likely that Shaw no longer appears able to get forward as often and as powerfully as he used to - probably a result of his injuries; but Stones looks equally diminished. And good honest pro that he is, how is Dan Burn anywhere near an international squad?
Thomas Tuchel is speaking to the press about his England squad announcement.
Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele is probably the most surprising call up. England intend to use him as a training keeper at the World Cup.
Mo Salah injury news
Mo Salah has been ruled out of Liverpool’s Saturday game against Brighton and Egypt’s squad. Arne Slot said the winger “felt something” during Liverpool’s win over Galatasaray.
What do you think of the England squad? Who should/shouldn’t have been included? Let me know.
Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw have also been left out of the squad. Watkins has only scored three goals this year and Shaw has struggled with injuries throughout his career. I imagine that’s the thinking behind their exclusion.
Thomas Tuchel explains his logic for naming such a large squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost, so we bring players in that we haven’t seen who haven’t played so much to open up the picture and the competition for plane tickets to the US. Then from Friday and Saturday, a group of players will come into camp - 10 or 11 players who get a rest before and we will then go with a new group and mix of players into the match against Japan.
So, who has been left out of the squad? The big omission is Trent Alexander-Arnold. The defender has started seven of Real Madrid’s last nine games after being out of favour earlier in the season. Reece James is also unavailable as he picked up a hamstring injury against Newcastle. It seems strange to leave him out of a 35-man squad.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke
We will have more England squad news to follow.
Maguire, Mainoo and Calvert-Lewin in 35-man England squad
David Hytner
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo have been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Thomas Tuchel rewarding them for their excellent form at Manchester United. The England manager has also given a first call-up to Everton’s James Garner and recalled Lewis Hall of Newcastle, Leeds’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke. Tuchel has picked a larger-than-normal squad of 35 players in order to manage their minutes at a critical stage of the season. It is the last squad he will name before he does so for the World Cup in the summer.
Here’s a message from Krishnamoorthy:
Will the Premier League teams make a clean sweep of the European trophies? As of now I am confident only about the Europa League. My trust is not with Villa but with the serial winner Unai Emery.
A Premier League clean sweep looks unlikely after last round’s showing. The top teams from elsewhere in Europe have a decisiveness in key moments that some of the Premier League teams lack. I don’t see Liverpool beating PSG or Nottingham Forest beating Porto in the next round.
Lewis Hall is also set for a return to the England squad. Newcastle’s left back has been excellent this year and will likely be the first choice in his position for the World Cup.
Here’s a recap of last night’s European fixtures involving English teams.
Michael Carrick has changed Manchester United’s fortunes since taking over as interim coach after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. His side have only lost once in the nine games that he’s been in charge – a 2-1 loss against Newcastle. Read Jamie Jackson’s piece about how Carrick keeps his cool on the touchline.
Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire seem set for England call ups. Recalls today would mark the first time a Manchester United player has been involved in the England setup since September 2024.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another football live blog! Yesterday English teams managed to redeem themselves in Europe slightly, with Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace progressing to the next round of the Europa League and Conference League respectively. This all bodes well for the national team. The England squad will be announced at 11am. Stick with me for updates and feel free to send me a message with your thoughts.
