In our weekly series, the Mirror’s chief football writer John Cross reviews the England international as the young star and Premier League captain gives Thomas Tuchel plenty of insight.
Rio Ngmoha and Max Dauman are both teenage sensations – could either of them be selected as a World Cup wildcard?
Rio Ngmoja showed what a special talent he is at Anfield.
The 17-year-old Liverpool forward is a great goalscorer, has incredibly quick feet and is clearly destined for the top.
Similarly, Arsenal great Max Dauman, 16, has been hailed by those in the game as a generational talent with the potential to become the best player in the world. However, they are so young that questions arise as to whether manager Thomas Tuchel should roll the dice and take one of them to this summer’s World Cup.
England manager Tuchel said he would leave the door open for Dauman because he could make a difference this summer and there was no need to make a decision now, so why close the door? But there’s something wrong here… Tuchel was hired to win the World Cup and was given an 18-month contract to deliver the biggest trophy, so he didn’t have to think about the future or leaving a legacy.
But now he must think about what happens next this summer, as the Football Association has given him a new contract until 2028. Suddenly, Tuchel has to worry about the next euro. Whether adopting either Dauman or Ngumoha will have a long-term impact on their development rather than just adopting them.
Both players have the ability to change a game off the bench, but perhaps the debate is whether they deserve to go to the World Cup, perhaps playing only 5 minutes or 0 minutes.
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Let’s take a look. Dowman will probably need two more pieces of magic to get back into the conversation, the kind he produced as a substitute against Everton. Ngmoha looked very attractive when he scored against Fulham.
But as things stand, neither will likely happen. Perhaps that’s because Tuchel can’t just think about the here and now.
Meanwhile, a long-running battle continues for the position on the right. Bukayo Saka is in pole position, provided of course he regains fitness, in which case he will be between Noni Maduke and Jarrod Bowen.
Maduke has been ahead of the pack until recently and is still performing well, as he did against Sporting Lisbon. But then we did very poorly against Bournemouth. And Bowen has been sensational for West Ham in their battle against relegation. Bowen has provided five assists in his last five Premier League games and was in a sensational performance against Wolves on Friday night.
Bowen has also been involved in nine goals in the last 10 Premier League games. Father-in-law Danny Dyer, wife Dani’s father, plays the drums from the stands.
This is becoming a bit of a showbiz story, and Tuchel might not think he’ll have to explain to movie star Dyer (who often plays the villain on screen) why he’s not in the World Cup squad.
Bowen has continued to go toe-to-toe with Madueke, but the West Ham captain, talisman and forward is now firmly pulling away.
Jarrod Bowen inspires West Ham in their fight for survival (Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This week’s England player ratings
There are just two months left until England manager Thomas Tuchel has to select his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup, but there is fierce competition for almost every position.
As the countdown to the 2026 tournament heats up, some of the Premier League and Europe’s top players are vying for the same spots, while others have until the end of the season to make up.
Here, John Cross gives his latest verdict on the players and the team as a whole, which he saw while covering last weekend’s game (Manchester City’s win over Chelsea).
read more: 2026 World Cup: How Granit Xhaka links Switzerland’s hopes of qualifying for the tournamentread more: 2026 World Cup: Argentina – “Troublesome” holders who gave Lionel Messi a “new role”
Chelsea VS Manchester City
cole palmer
Match Rating: 7/10
In fact, he looked very sharp and was in high spirits ahead of the game against Manchester City. He got better physically and made things happen. Looking at the results, it is easy to think that everyone played poorly. But Palmer was good in the first half.
Current form: 6/10
mixture. I feel like he’s back after missing a lot of football, but better, healthier and stronger. His condition is gradually returning.
England team rating: 6/10
Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers seem to be nailing it. The question is who else will go? And in a straight shootout between him and Phil Foden, Palmer appears to be in the lead.
mark gehi
Match rating: 8
Another cool performance that resonated throughout Manchester City’s defense. His signing in January was a game-changer for City and this time he was on the scoresheet as well.
Current form: 8/10
That’s amazing. Honestly, I think you could push him as player of the year. If City win the Treble, he will have played a huge role.
England team rating: 9/10
A nail-biting starter. He is very calm and collected and is a reassuring presence at England’s back. Top quality.
Marc Guehi was outstanding as City dominated and pulled away from Chelsea (Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP)
Nico O’Reilly
Match Rating: 8/10
He scored again, and this was another big goal for Chelsea, with six goals and plenty of assists in 11 games. He’s been on the big stage, which shows he’s a big game player with a great mentality.
Current form: 8/10
He looks sensational. If you were to judge Player of the Year late in the season, he would be on the list. He is physically strong and technically excellent.
England team rating: 9/10
He has settled into the team and is on track to surpass Lewis Hall in the race to start at left back.
phil foden
Match rating: 6
Another all too short performance from the bench. This time it’s Rayan Cherki’s turn, but he hasn’t had enough time to show his true quality.
Current form: 5/10
You just don’t have time to shine. No one doubts his talent or qualifications, but it would take a major change in fortunes to get him into that position.
England team rating: 5/10
It could be a shootout between Foden and Cole Palmer for the third No.10 role…and Palmer is in the lead.
England player ratings – Likelihood of getting on a plane
goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford 10 Dean Henderson 9 James Trafford 8 Aaron Ramsdale 6 Jason Steele 6
defender
Mark Gehi 9 Ezri Konsa 9 John Stones 8 Dan Byrne 7 Trevor Chalobah 6 Harry Maguire 6 Jarel Quansah 6 Fikayo Tomori 4
right full back
Reece James 8 Tino Libramento 8 Ben White 5
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9 Lewis Hall 8 Jed Spence 6
midfielder
Declan Rice 9 Elliot Anderson 9 Jordan Henderson 7 Koby Mainu 7 James Garner 7 Adam Wharton 6 Alex Scott 5
No.10s
Morgan Rogers 9 Jude Bellingham 9 Cole Palmer 6 Eberechi Eze 6 Phil Foden 5
right wing
Bukayo Saka 8 Jarrod Bowen 8 Noni Maduke 6
left wing
Marcus Rashford 8 Anthony Gordon 8
strikers
Harry Kane 10 Ollie Watkins 7 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 Dominic Solanke 6 Danny Welbeck 6
England’s 2026 World Cup kit
Various prices
england official store
Buy now from England’s official store
England and Nike have launched new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Use code: ENGFREEDEL to get free shipping on all orders.
my squad
Goalkeeper 3: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.
Defender 8: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Mark Guehi, Tino Libramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall.
Midfield 7: Jude Bellingham, Elliott Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, James Garner, Alex Scott, Koby Mainu.
Forward 8: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen.
My England starting XI: Pickford. James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly. Anderson, Rice. Saka, Bellingham, Rashford. Kane.
Do you agree with John Cross? Share your opinion on the England national team’s slider below, both internally and externally.
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