FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

Konsa did ok at right-back but that leaves saka or madueke without someone supporting him because konsa isn't going to get forward

 

I'd have loved to have been in the meeting when this got waved through.

Did Anthony Barry just sit there mute?

How is there more utility in Chaobah than Hall or Shaw?

Just how?

 

He knows Chalobah. He's a good egg just like Henderson and burn. That's all that matters. Not ability. Harmony around the camp. We're going to sing our way to the world cup 'cumbya my lord cumbya'

 

You don't know for sure that Tuchel didn't ask him.

 

Tuchel has probably told several back ups to be in the USA and to keep as fit as possible.

I don't like the decision either. Hopefully he only needs to make up the numbers in training. Need a lot of luck with injuries and fatigue now.

This squad also puts pressure on us to win the first two so that we can try other players in the third match and rest some first choice players.

 

Would have been interesting how far down the list Chalobah would have been if it had gone to a public vote

Certainly behind Hall, Shaw, Lewis-Skelly and Alexander-Arnold at absolute minimum you'd think.

He'll obviously get asked the question later in the conference, and Tuchel can convince you of almost anything once he starts riffing, but I'd love to hear the detailed thinking and if he can come up with something that makes any sense

 

To be fair if they had a public vote I’m not sure Spence, Madueke, Toney, Quansah, Burn or Henderson would be in the squad.

 

Tino Livramento has withdrawn from the #ThreeLions squad due to injury.

We're gutted for you, Tino, and wishing you a speedy recovery. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FpbfwSkynX

— England (@England) June 16, 2026

 

With Tuchel talking about resting players we could see Quansah at right back or Burn at left back against Panama if the first two matches have gone well.

 

Welcome back to the #ThreeLions squad, @TrevohChalobah! 🤝

— England (@England) June 16, 2026

 

That was quick. Was he on holiday in Kansas City?

 

A journalist needs to really call him out on this. And make it clear its a baffling decision

 

True - but it's a bit more on the nose when you can actually see the gap in the squad appear in real time on social media, make some kind of calculation about what you think it now leaves the squad short of ....and a few minutes later see the apparent oddness of the replacement which appears to address none of the deficiencies left by the withdrawal, even allowing for Tuchel's well-known quirks.

 

I doubt it. The media are all busy publishing articles about how Henderson returning is the missing piece of the puzzle and that him in the dressing room will solve so many issues.

 

Like everyone else, I'm baffled by this decision. The possibility of our starting full-backs getting injured makes it risky, but we're now very limited in terms of substitutions in these areas as well because we've only got one proper replacement to cover both sides. Surely you'd want to protect James every now and again by giving him the odd 20-minute rest at the end of a game, and with O'Reilly, there's every chance he could pick up a yellow early doors and need to be withdrawn at half-time. Now you can only do one of those things, not both, unless we have a healthy lead.

 

Well that’s how many of us see it but equally if that happens Spence at left back and Konsa, Quansah or Chalobah at right back might be something Tuchel is entirely happy with. (I refuse to accept Tuchel will be happy at Burn playing left back).

 

What's noticeable to me is how many substitutions teams have made that are just like for like. The starters tire out so the back-up come on and keep to the same game plan. I really worry about FB and CM being worn out. Our first game is in an air-conditioned stadium, but the next two are not.

 

Presumably he is, but if we're chasing an equaliser in a knockout game having one of those players trying to overlap Saka and get crosses in isn't going to be pretty.

 

Seems pointless even calling up a replacement if its just going to be Chalobah. Tuchel clearly rates Quansah on some level at right back so it'd would be difficult to imagine Chalobah leapfrogging him so he's most likely not even our first choice out of position centre back to play there (although Tuchel's decision making is haphazard at the best of times).

Seems baffling to me that he had the opportunity to either call up Hall/Shaw even Lewis Skelly and didn't take it. If he wanted someone who's specifically played right back then Curtis Jones has played there a lot this season and bulks up our central midfield options. If he just wanted an extra body in the squad it seems very unfair, bordering on cruel on Alex Scott joining up for the warm ups then being ignored. Instead we pick another centre back. Not even a centre back who brings anything new to the ones we have like Colwill might have done.

I'd love to think there's method to the madness but for the all the hype articles about how detail orientated his haphazard selections and bizarre tactics almost always look as bad as you'd expect. The only time we ever look good under him is when he has orthodox tactics and selections. I'm genuinely struggle to think of one his left field selections or tactics actually showing something.

I really hope he's a mad genius but I've feared for a long time the emperor has no clothes, and i'll guess we'll find out over the coming weeks.

 

Tough luck on Tino Livramento, who’s had a few injuries in his career. Now returning home after picking up a calf injury in training. Trevoh Chalobah called in. England have centre-backs who can play wide but still looking vulnerable to any more injuries at full-back. #ENG

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 16, 2026

 

He will have to be happy about it since it’s his choice who made it! Absolutely bizarre if he picked him but not happy to play him when it’s clear he might have to now if we get injuries.

 

He might be happy to have him at centre back but not left back. At centre back it’s not ideal but not a disaster but at left back I fear a calamity if he plays there.