Tuchel’s secret England list as players on standby to replace World Cup stars | Football | Sport

England manager Thomas Tuchel has disclosed that he has compiled a secret standby list – but prospective call-ups will need to pass his telephone test. Tuchel contacted around 50 players over the three days prior to announcing his 26-man World Cup squad for the United States this summer.

The squad departs for Florida for a pre-tournament training camp on June 1, with Arsenal‘s players linking up later following the Champions League final. Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Josh King will also join as part of the training group, with another youngster set to follow, while Tuchel acknowledged he has several options in mind should any of the 26 withdraw through injury.

However, Tuchel stressed that the ultimate test will be whether players answer their phone while on holiday – and are prepared to board the next flight even if they happen to be in Australia.

Players must feature on the 55-man longlist, with FIFA publishing the final 26 on June 2, though special last-minute exceptions exist should a player pick up an injury.

Tuchel said: “First of all we don’t want anyone to be injured but are aware of the possibility that we can bring players. The players all know that.

“The wording in the phone calls was slightly different from players who were very, very close to a phone call, and we said ‘Listen, you’re very, very high up on the list but without promising’.

“I still think it can make a huge difference who of the central defenders, who of the midfielders needs to be replaced. So you cannot say at once, ‘then I pick you’, and I didn’t do this. The wording was kind of different.

“The ones who were close, and to be totally open the reaction also of the players towards the disappointment just also plays a factor. Because I learned a lot yesterday from all the phone calls.

“And it gave me just confirmation, who would pick the phone up happily when we call. Even in Australia on holiday. Who will be actually: ‘When do I have to be where?'”