{"id":33919,"date":"2026-05-19T00:28:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T00:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/19\/thomas-tuchels-personal-ollie-watkins-plans-to-name-three-strikers-as-england-manager\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T00:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T00:28:51","slug":"thomas-tuchels-personal-ollie-watkins-plans-to-name-three-strikers-as-england-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/19\/thomas-tuchels-personal-ollie-watkins-plans-to-name-three-strikers-as-england-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Tuchel’s personal Ollie Watkins plans to name three strikers as England manager"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney could both be called up for the World Cup, with England manager Thomas Tuchel set to select three strikers in his 26-man squad.<\/h2>\n
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May 18, 2026 17:00<\/span>Updated May 18, 2026 17:53<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Tuchel plans to name three strikers in his 26-man squad (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Manager Thomas Tuchel is set to name three strikers for England, which could pave the way for the signing of Ollie Watkins. England manager Tuchel announced his 26-man squad on Friday, but his frontline remains a hot topic ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich star Harry Kane is certainly in the spotlight as England’s captain, top scorer and talisman as he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.<\/p>\n
However, Tuchel is expected to be able to name three strikers in his 26-man squad, with the remaining two spots being contested.<\/p>\n
Aston Villa striker Watkins was left out of England’s final squad in March but has responded admirably, scoring nine goals since his omission, including four in his last three games.<\/p>\n
read more: England’s World Cup squad has been decided after manager Thomas Tuchel urged the departure of a major star player.<\/span><\/span>read more: When will England’s World Cup squad be decided? Manager Thomas Tuchel to make final announcement<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This has caught the attention of manager Tuchel, who believes Watkins is the frontrunner to qualify and is thought to be on the 55-man longlist submitted to FIFA last Monday.<\/p>\n
Tuchel has been personally impressed with Watkins’ form, attitude and determination, which opened the door for him to return ahead of Friday’s squad announcement.<\/p>\n
Previously, some England managers have used just two traditional out-and-out forwards in their 23-man squads, but the 48-team tournament will give them greater scope by playing in larger groups and testing weather and climatic conditions.<\/p>\n
That could open the door for forgotten man Ivan Toney, who has been prolific in the Saudi Pro League and has earned a reputation as a penalty specialist ahead of a potential shootout.<\/p>\n
Brighton’s Danny Welbeck is another option, with Tuchel having name-checked him several times due to his qualities and mindset.<\/p>\n
Tuchel called up Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke to his squad in March, but the Tottenham striker was sidelined with an injury and the Leeds player left camp after just one game.<\/p>\n
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Ollie Watkins: in great form (Image: Neville Williams\/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold may struggle to break into the 26-man squad despite injury concerns for Tino Libramento.<\/p>\n
Tuchel also highlighted Chelsea’s resurgent defender Levi Colwill, who impressed in the FA Cup final despite his side losing to Manchester City on Saturday.<\/p>\nContent cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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