New England manager Thomas Tuchel has some difficult choices to make. He’s helping prepare for the national team’s important game against Latvia in only two weeks. This game has huge implications. A victory would all but ensure England’s place in next summer’s World Cup.
Elliot Anderson has wowed with several standout displays this summer. He is line to retain his place in the next England squad and get the nod to start the opening fixture against Wales at Wembley. With Anderson’s steady play, Tuchel has developed a strong trust in the midfielder. Tuchel would like to establish some permanence as injury worries start piling up.
A more immediate problem for the German to solve comes in left defense, where injury has decimated his options. Tino Livramento, who made his debut as he filled out the lineup against Serbia just over a week ago. Sadly, he’s on the verge of missing two months of action after recently injuring himself while playing with his club. This absence leaves plenty of space for other challengers.
Despite stiff competition for a place, the right back has been one of the best players with Crystal Palace amid a solid run of form. Tuchel was at Selhurst Park to watch Mitchell’s most recent display, where he produced an outstanding performance in a 2-1 win against Liverpool. Judging by Mitchell’s current performance level, he would hardly be out of place garnering another recall to the England squad.
As well as Mitchell, Tuchel needs to decide on Phil Foden’s status. The Manchester City midfielder quickly turned it around and regrouped. This was particularly brutal as he had actually been dropped from the last England squad for poor form, not for injury reasons. Foden’s versatility is his biggest weapon. Foden can help in every position on the pitch.
In addition to Phillips, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are expected to return to the squad after recovering from injury. Their presence, if fit, will add even more fire-power to an already rich English attacking options. Though missing out on Cole Palmer, still in the treatment room with an injury of his own, will extend Tuchel’s predicament.
Noni Madueke’s injury is another cruel blow for the manager as he desperately tries to put the final touches to his squad. Madueke’s loss might leave Jack Grealish with yet another opportunity to show us all why he needs to be playing on the international stage. That experience will be invaluable for Grealish and England, especially as they head towards this high-stakes fixture.
As Tuchel works his way through these different realities, he’ll want to pay attention to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hamstring injury. Keen to point out the uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold’s fitness adds to the squad inclusion dilemma, adding to the doubly funAryan stress on Tuchel’s selections.
Incoming captain England need to reaffiliate their back line to get ready for the monumental game against Latvia. While doing this, they should increase their focus on attacking talent. The combination of returning players like Bellingham and Saka alongside potential call-ups for Mitchell and Foden creates a dynamic landscape for Tuchel as he seeks to optimize his squad.
The England Lionesses’ upcoming semi-final against Australia will be a historic and pivotal moment. Now just two weeks until their CONCACAF Champions League opener, the players Tuchel settles on will determine how successful they can be. With each decision weighing heavily, he hopes to guide the team back to World Cup dominance.
Leave a Reply