England axe 11 stars as Tuchel snubs Foden and Maguire | Football | Sport
England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to leave 11 big-names at home as he prepares to announce his squad for this summer’s World Cup finals. The Three Lions head to North America this summer as one of the favourites for glory after reaching two successive European Championship finals under Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate.
The expectation levels put on Tuchel’s men will be huge as they look to become the first senior England men’s team to lift a major trophy since the famous 1966 World Cup victory. The Three Lions will first have to navigate the group stage with Croatia, Ghana and Panama their opponents.
But several stars for some of Europe’s biggest club sides won’t even make the tournament. England’s depth across several positions means Tuchel will leave many players heartbroken.
Manchester City star Phil Foden has endured a difficult campaign, and despite a recent mini-resurgence, he won’t be on the plane. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire can count himself unlucky not to be included after solid performances for Michael Carrick at Old Trafford, although Tuchel has recently admitted the 33-year-old is far down his centre-back pecking order. Left-back Luke Shaw is the other United player to miss out, despite featuring in every Premier League game of the season so far.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is another left-back to miss the cut, while former Chelsea player Fikayo Tomori has not been able to convince Tuchel with his performances for AC Milan. Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to miss out, having not been involved in recent squads.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White could not have done much more during an impressive individual campaign for the East Midlands side, but he won’t be going to America.
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is another surprise omission, despite not hitting the same heights he did last season at Stamford Bridge. Another questionable midfield absentee is United and City-linked Crystal Palace star, Adam Wharton.
The attacking omissions are perhaps less surprising, although Jarrod Bowen perhaps deserved a chance given his performances for West Ham United. As did Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is not expected to be included.
The Football Association are revealing the England squad through their new app with Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott hosting proceedings.
Tuchel will then reveal his selections for those heading to the United States on June 1 for the Florida training camp initially, before moving on to Kansas City to prepare for their group matches.
The tournament kicks off on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening game. England’s first fixture takes place on June 17 against Croatia.
