Manager Thomas Tuchel has thrown a curve ball into the World Cup selection process by calling up Ben White and Harvey Barnes…but will they make it on the plane in time? John Cross gives weekly player ratings.
Thomas Tuchel has gone into great depth about his latest squad, including some names we never thought of. Recalls for Fikayo Tomori, Jason Steele and Ben White and the call-up of Harvey Barnes popped up from the left.
England manager Tuchel has thrown a curveball by naming 35 players in his original group for the final games at Wembley before the World Cup, against Uruguay and a friendly against Japan. But the door will be open to an unexpected name auditioning ahead of the World Cup.
Tomori looked like the forgotten man, perhaps benefiting from Trevor Chalobah’s injury. Brighton keeper Steele is mainly for training purposes only. White was selected to play because Jarrell Quansah was out with an injury.
And Newcastle winger Barnes, who scored 14 goals, was rewarded for quitting Scotland to commit to England. And yet, Trent Alexander-Arnold still can’t get inside! This clearly means that Tuchel does not like the Real Madrid full-back due to his style of play.
He is a creator first and a defender second. That’s not the profile Tuchel wants. It’s a shame for those who appreciate style and flair.
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read more: Why Ben White despised England under Gareth Southgate after Steve Holland bust-upread more: Thomas Tuchel reveals reason behind brutal disrespect for Trent Alexander-Arnold England
Tuchel was at Wembley on Sunday to manage England players from Arsenal and Manchester City. The big harvest?
The England manager’s decision to split the camp into two teams comes as no surprise as many players look tired. And Nico O’Reilly is certain to start at the World Cup.
John Stones won’t be able to feature in the absence of Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi, but his experience and quality will be on the plane to the World Cup.
Hats off to Arsenal’s wonder boy Max Doman. Although not in the team, Tuchel certainly didn’t close the door…
This week’s England player ratings
Here, John Cross, who was at Wembley for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, takes a closer look at the squad and updates his assessment of England’s players ahead of the final social gathering before the World Cup squad is decided.
ben white
Match Rating: 6/10
Are you okay. They got their chance thanks to Julian Timber’s injury, but were solid enough. However, this is far from the peak of Ben White, who formed a great partnership with Bukayo Saka on the right. He’s a good player, but he just doesn’t have enough playing time.
His scores are low because he just hasn’t played enough games to be at his best. There’s no arguing that there are many better players as offensive, overlapping forces. But he just needs to get back in shape.
Current form: 5/10
It’s hard to see him succeed. Realistically, he was called up late, ranked low in the pecking order and is not the club’s first choice.
England team rating: 4/10
read more: Ben White still has one big hurdle to overcome before England’s full redemption
Declan Rice
Match Rating: 7/10
In fact, I gave him a better score than the others. Because he worked hard and put himself out there in the first half or so and did well.
But as the games go on, he looks as tired as anyone and there is a danger here that he will burn out in the summer.
Current form: 9/10
Personally, I think he’s a candidate for Player of the Year. He’s played too many games and somehow seems to be pushing himself most of the time.
It’s a 10 simply because one of their key players was injured in too many games, so it’s a 9. Don’t let him do that.
England team rating: 9/10
Bukayo Saka
Match Rating: 5/10
Hmm…. There’s been too much of this lately. Nico O’Reilly’s goal turned the switch off, but they also couldn’t generate enough points at the other end. It’s a shame.
He hasn’t been at his best this season. Saka is one of my favorite players, but he hasn’t been able to perform at his best. He probably won’t be in Arsenal’s top three players this season and that’s a worry.
Current form: 6/10
Saka usually starts every England game and maintains pole position. However, his decline in form must be a cause for concern.
England team rating: 10/10
Noni Maduke
Match Rating: 5/10
He came on from the bench for Arsenal, who were already chasing the game, but he had little chance to change the course of the game.
His current form is pretty solid. But this is a matter of consistency and opportunity. He hasn’t gotten enough minutes to take away from his Arsenal team-mates – certainly behind Bukayo Saka).
Current form: 6/10
His lack of playing time remains a concern, especially for Jarrod Bowen, who is West Ham’s first choice and key player on the right.
England team rating: 7/10
james trafford
Match Rating: 8/10
Great performance. He was drafted and this was completely justified as Arsenal decided to pick No. 2. He made some good saves in the early stages and didn’t miss a beat.
There is little to be seen of him now. But this showed he was ready when called upon.
Current form: 7/10
He’s probably the leader in the clubhouse now as the No. 3 keeper. Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson are nailing it. What the final showed was that even when not playing, Trafford is ready.
England team rating: 7/10
Nico O’Reilly
Match Rating: 9/10
He scored twice and played brilliantly from left-back, then flipped and played in midfield as well. A great display that won the match.
There was a lot to admire and love about manager Thomas Tuchel. His physicality and strength also set him apart.
His current form is good, both in midfield and at full-back. When healthy and fit, he is by far the best left-back.
Current form: 8/10
Clearly above Lewis Hall in the pecking order, Newcastle’s left-back championship suddenly looks a bit parochial and winking. O’Reilly is a leader in the clubhouse.
England team rating: 9/10
phil foden
Match Rating: N/a
Sadly, he came on from the 89th minute and was given little chance.
He just doesn’t have enough time. He is extremely talented and one of the best players of his generation, but he is quite far down the table at Manchester City.
His versatility and ability to play as a false nine as well as wide and number 10 may give him hope. But he is in serious danger.
England team rating: 6/10
read more: Where to buy the new England 2026 World Cup kit: Nike home and away shirts on sale today
Choose your World Cup team below and let us know what you think:
goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford: 10/10 Dean Henderson 8/10 James Trafford 7/10 Aaron Ramsdale 6/10 Nick Pope 5/10 Jason Steele 4/10
right full back
Reece James 7/10 Jed Spence 6/10 Ben White 4/10 Rico Lewis 4/10 Ben White 4/10 Trent Alexander-Arnold 3/10
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9/10 Lewis Hall 8/10 Tino Libramento 6/10 Luke Shaw 6/10 Miles Lewis-Skelly 2/10 Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
central defender
Mark Gehi 9/10 Ezri Konsa 8/10 Dan Byrne 7/10 Jarell Quansah 7/10 Harry Maguire 7/10 John Stones 6/10 Fikayo Tomori 5/10 Trevor Chalobah 5/10 Jarrad Branthwaite 3/10 Levi Colwill 3/10
midfielder
Declan Rice 9/10 Elliott Anderson 9/10 Jordan Henderson 8/10 Koby Mainu 7/10 Alex Scott 7/10 James Garner 6/10 Adam Wharton 6/10 Curtis Jones 5/10 Morgan Gibbs-White 5/10 Conor Gallagher 4/10 Mason Mount 3/10 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 0/10
right forward
Bukayo Saka 8/10 Noni Maduke 7/10 Jarrod Bowen 7/10 Harvey Barnes 6/10
left forward
Anthony Gordon 8/10 Marcus Rashford 7/10 Eberechi Eze 6/10
No10s
Jude Bellingham 9/10 Morgan Rogers 8/10 Phil Foden 6/10 Cole Palmer 6/10
strikers
Harry Kane 10/10 Ollie Watkins 6/10 Dominic Solanke 6/10 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10 Danny Welbeck 5/10 Liam Delap 4/10
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