England’s World Cup squad will be decided on Friday morning, but it is already clear that manager Thomas Tuchel has made some bold decisions ahead of the crucial kick-off.
Ivan Toney returns to England’s World Cup squad (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Ivan Toni received a sensational World Cup call-up.
England manager Thomas Tuchel will include Toney in his squad when he selects his 26-man squad on Friday. The 30-year-old has been in the international wilderness for the past 12 months, scoring 42 goals in 37 appearances for Al Ahly in the Saudi Professional League.
Mirror Sport revealed on May 11 that Tuchel was considering bringing the former Brentford striker back and would seek his consent despite significant casualties.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire have all been let go, with Olly Watkins, Noni Madueke, Jordan Henderson and Kobie Mainu expected to be sidelined.
read more: England World Cup squad live: Maguire, Palmer and Foden withdraw due to Tuchel’s brutal comments
Watkins was left out of England’s final squad in March, but the Aston Villa striker has been praised for his outstanding form since then, including winning the Europa League final.
Foden is absent due to lack of game time at Manchester City, while Palmer is also absent as he has struggled with form and fitness this season.
Luke Shaw will be sidelined, while Manchester United team-mate Maguire was also sacked by cruel Tuchel, which would undoubtedly end his career in England.
Maguire, 33, has enjoyed an excellent second half of the season and was hoping to survive despite Tuchel claiming in March that he was effectively the sixth centre-half choice behind the likes of Dan Byrne, Mark Guehi, Ezri Konsa and John Stones.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has also been named in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad (Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Maguire said in a statement: “After the season so far, I was confident that I could play a key role for my country this summer. I am shocked and disappointed by this decision. I wish the players all the best.”
Tuchel named 26 players on Friday and they are scheduled to fly to Florida on June 1, although Arsenal’s international squad is not expected to join them until later that week.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17th.
England (possible): Pickford, Henderson, Trafford.
James, Quansah, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly, Byrne, Spence, Livramento.
Rice, Anderson, Mainu, Henderson, Rogers, Eze, Bellingham.
Saka, Maduke, Rashford, Gordon
Kane, Watkins, Tony
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