Jordan Henderson’s inclusion and Harry Maguire’s exclusion sparks debate (Image: Getty)
England’s World Cup squad has been controversial, with the absence of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold being the most controversial. However, there has been heated debate not only about who has been removed from the team, but also who has been added to the squad.
Questions have been raised about the selection of players such as Jordan Henderson, Dan Byrne, Jarrell Quansah and Ivan Toney, but manager Thomas Tuchel was resolute, insisting: “Teams win championships and what we are trying to achieve can only be achieved as a team. We have players who are ready and true to team spirit and unselfishness.”
Express Sports Team has a say in whether Tuchel is right or wrong with the team…
I think this is a squad selection that could bite Thomas Tuchel in the back if England are eliminated before the semi-finals. Players like Ivan Toney and Jordan Henderson aren’t even close to that.
The latter inclusion is particularly puzzling, and I’m collaborating with Roy Keane on this issue – does he do card tricks or something? But it’s not all bad. The addition of Dan Byrne may raise a few eyebrows, but he is a capable defender and could come in handy at set-pieces if England end up needing goals late in the finals.
It was expected Trent Alexander-Arnold would come in given the injury uncertainty at England’s right-back, but Tuchel brought on Jed Spence instead. Only time will tell if it’s an inspired decision.
I’m also not mad that Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are left out. They haven’t done enough at club level to warrant a spot and there’s no room for sentimentality at the World Cup. That said, it’s certainly not the team many expected, and it will be interesting to see whether Tuchel’s gamble pays off.
Foden and Palmer have no complaints. Regardless of their status as big names, they haven’t done enough. However, Maguire’s absence is a concern given that a third of the defenders (James, Libramento and Stones) are the most injury-prone trio in the Premier League.
One injury or red card can have dire consequences. Morgan Gibbs-White may also find it difficult to pull off, but that’s always been a tall order in a field full of No. 10 players.
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Harry Maguire won’t play in the World Cup, but Dan Byrne will. (Image: Getty)
Despite the outrage over Jordan Henderson’s inclusion, his becoming the 26th player will neither make nor derail our World Cup hopes. However, if you have defenses made of glass, they will be shattered.
Reece James and John Stones will spend more time in the treatment room than on the pitch. This brings us to seven defenders. Jarrell Quansah plays in Bayer Leverkusen’s back three. Jed Spence might be a championship player by then. One more red card for Marc Guehi and it would be a disaster. Justice for Harry Maguire.
It’s certainly a bold choice on Thomas Tuchel’s part, with Harry Maguire being the most obvious. The decision to exclude him is completely incomprehensible. The Manchester United man has been in great form this season, being one of the most capped players Tuchel has available, and when it comes to tournaments he has come in and done it.
He’s also not bad as a goal threat. There is literally no downside to including him and only Tuchel knows why he won’t be on the plane.
Functionality over winner. That is what manager Thomas Tuchel aimed for. This World Cup will see record high temperatures. In such extreme conditions, players can tire quickly, resulting in more draws than ever before.
And when the time comes, Tuchel will regret not giving Cole Palmer or Trent Alexander-Arnold a chance to play with tired legs. Instead, Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento offer maintainable options. England have a starting XI that can win a World Cup, but how far they need to go beyond that this summer will decide their fate, and Tuchel’s.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Dominic Calvert-Lewin left stranded at home (Image: Getty)
While this team has made some big calls, it has also made mistakes. It’s understandable that Phil Foden and Cole Palmer weren’t selected given their difficult seasons, but choosing 35-year-old Jordan Henderson over them is a shock.
The exclusion of Harry Maguire is also causing alarm. With John Stones missing the majority of the season due to injury, his centre-half partners will be Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, with Jarrell Quansah the only back-up in case of injury. Thomas Tuchel is playing dangerously, but it could all pay off.
Imagine if Spain left Lamine Yamal at home after he was unable to maintain his form. Or will Brazil not choose Vinicius Junior? I can’t think of it. At the World Cup, victories are determined by individual moments, so we need players who can create those moments.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden may have had difficult seasons, but they have proven time and time again that they can come up with magical moments, both for club and country. At least he has Noni Madueke and his three goal contributions in the Premier League this season…
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