By Martin Graham
When Thomas Tuchel announces his England squad for the March friendlies, it will offer a strong indication of his plans for the upcoming World Cup. England moved through qualification with eight wins from eight matches, with the manager largely sticking to a consistent starting lineup in an effort to build cohesion within the group ahead of a potentially long stay in the United States.
Despite having a core group of players almost guaranteed to start, several important questions remain unresolved. One of the most debated topics since Tuchel’s arrival has been the attacking midfield role. Jude Bellingham, widely regarded as one of the top players in his position, missed the October camp due to injury, even though he had hoped to be involved. In his absence, Morgan Rogers established himself as the preferred option, starting five of the eight qualifiers and delivering strong performances.
Tuchel has emphasized the importance of placing players in roles that suit them best rather than reshuffling the system to accommodate individuals. This approach has intensified competition between Rogers and Bellingham, particularly as the latter continues his recovery from a hamstring issue that has kept him out since early February. While Bellingham has already produced memorable moments for England, his fitness and form will be crucial factors in Tuchel’s decision-making.
Elsewhere, Cole Palmer has struggled for game time under the current setup, while Phil Foden’s role remains uncertain. Foden was even deployed as a secondary striker in the previous camp, contributing creatively from that position, which adds another layer of complexity to Tuchel’s attacking selections.
Uncertainty in defence and left-back concerns
England’s central defence remains unsettled heading into the tournament, with no clearly defined first-choice pairing. Tuchel has frequently praised John Stones, but ongoing fitness problems have limited his involvement to just four matches since the manager took charge. Ezri Konsa has been a regular presence, starting six qualifiers and appearing certain to feature in the squad.
Marc Guehi, who impressed at Euro 2024, has also been hindered by injuries, missing two camps. However, his performances at the club level and experience on the international stage keep him firmly in contention. Should Stones regain full fitness, Tuchel will face a difficult choice in selecting his preferred combination.
Harry Maguire has also re-entered the conversation thanks to improved form, offering experience and a proven record in major tournaments. His late push adds further competition to an already uncertain defensive setup.
On the left side of defence, England continues to search for a reliable solution. This has been a recurring issue, and Tuchel has experimented with multiple players during qualification. Options have included Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nico O’Reilly, Reece James, Djed Spence, and Tino Livramento in various roles.
O’Reilly’s strong performances have since led to a positional shift at club level, while Lewis Hall has struggled with injuries, limiting his opportunities in recent camps. However, his current form offers Tuchel one final opportunity to assess his suitability for the system during the upcoming friendlies. Among all positions, left-back appears to be the least settled heading into the summer.
Attacking support and squad depth questions
Providing support for Harry Kane remains another area of debate. Ollie Watkins has been the primary alternative in recent years, but his recent return of two goals in ten matches has raised doubts about his place. Dominic Calvert-Lewin started the season strongly but has seen his scoring form dip in recent weeks.
Danny Welbeck has emerged as a potential option, enjoying a productive campaign and reaching double figures in league goals. Despite not featuring for England since 2018, his experience at the international level could make him a valuable addition to the squad.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are expected to anchor the team, with Adam Wharton next in line for selection. Alex Scott was included in the previous squad but did not make an appearance, highlighting the competition for places in this area.
Tuchel’s squad announcement will ultimately clarify which players are firmly in his plans and who still has ground to make up. While much of the starting lineup appears settled, the remaining decisions will shape the depth and balance of the group heading into the World Cup.