Agree on Portugal too. Their midfield alongside Spain is the best in the tournament. Outside of Ruben Diaz I'm not sure they have any top defenders though. Portugal's biggest weakness is that clown martinez
Jaka Bijol on why Thomas Tuchel should name Dominic Calvert-Lewin in his England World Cup squad on Friday #lufc https://t.co/1zx25lkxHi— Isaac Johnson (@isaacjohnsonLL) May 19, 2026
On another positive note, it's also worth remembering that we reached the Euro24 final despite having some big holes in key areas. Now those gaps have been filled by the emergence/return of quality players like Anderson, O'Reilly, James, Colwiill and Hall, without any significant dropoff elsewhere. Our best player, Kane, looks fitter and sharper too. Plus we've got a manager in charge who has won the biggest trophies on the biggest stages. There's a lot to be optimistic about.
My squad prediction as far as tuchel goes Pickford Henderson Trafford O'reilly spence Guehi konsa stones colwill burn James Livramento Anderson garner rice Henderson Bellingham rogers palmer mainoo Saka madueke kane Watkins Gordon rashford
Yeah, that Neves-Vitinha-Fernandes midfield is actually probably even better than Spain's given two of them play for the best club team in Europe at the moment. Spain still have Pedri who is incredible but Rodri and the underrated Fabian Ruiz have had injuries and aren't going into the tournament in top shape. I agree Martinez is a very average manager too.
IAN LADYMAN: The surprising rumour I'm hearing ahead of Thomas Tuchel's England squad announcement - find out exclusively in our brand-new newsletter World Cup Unfiltered | Daily Mail Online Ladyman also reveals the surprising rumour doing the rounds of a shock recall for a striker no longer thought to be in the Three Lions picture. He seems to be referring to Toney too. Weird
Nah. I still feel pretty pessimistic. I just think the conditions will be too much and too many players out of form. I'll see how I feel after Tuchel’s squad announcement on Friday
If we have to take a more defensive minded midfielder then one of Garner/Henderson is sufficient we don't need both. And of the two I'm taking Garner every time. Then we still have space for Wharton or another striker like Toney/DCL. I really hope he takes someone like Eze and leaves Burn at home too.
I think the only thing I'd say is players like Bellingham, Foden and Saka were going into Euro 2024 in much better form then there was Palmer and Watkins who'd have phenomenal seasons on the bench and we saw how that made a difference in the semi final against the Netherlands. Right now, Bellingham, Saka and Gordon are possibly going to start and none of them have even reached double figures in the league this season. But I agree we look better at full back with James back and O'Reilly/Hall where in the last tournament we had an aging Walker and Trippier. Kane is clearly at the top of his game and I think the emergence of Anderson in midfield and the depth of options at number 10 (Bellingham, Rogers, Palmer, Foden, Gibbs White, Eze etc) means we have some serious firepower going into the tournament whoever gets selected. Just a shame some of them are not in the best form and the one who is (Gibbs White) probably won't go.
Off topic but I think it's right to say this squad is going to shock and infuriate a large number of fans. I think we underestimate how little attention most fans pay to international football in between major tournaments. I'm seeing so many starting XIs and squad picks from fans including players who haven't been near the squad for ages or have barely been in contention under Tuchel. I think a lot of people will be genuinely dumbfounded to see players like Quansah, Spence and Madueke in the squad on Friday. There'll be a fair bit of uproar I think.
Instant reactions are always a bit absurd (including my own at times). Looking at most squad announcements so far the reactions have been pretty negative. It wouldn’t bother me if Quansah, Spence or Madueke were in. It’s the selected picks that have really struggled when he has played them that will be hard to take.
I don't think I've ever dreaded a squad announcement as much as this one (on Friday) since I've been supporting England. That's how unconvinced I am on Tuchel and his team selections.
And that’s the issue the pick of Henderson especially is one that baffles most of the public but not particularly ex professionals or the media who seemingly understand his pick. I get the reasons why, I just don’t think that over rules footballing ability compared to others in his position.
It's not just the 'occasional' fans who are offering up different permutations of the same old familiar names though. Many of the supposedly better informed journos and football podcasts are doing exactly the same. No acknowledgement of how well certain unfancied players have excelled in an England shirt. No fresh and imaginative suggestions for possible wilcards. No mention of unheralded names like Scott and Jones, and how they are ready suited to the way Tuchel likes to play. It would be comical, if it wasn't so tiresome.
Which the media will willingly fuel. Tuchel lost quite a bit of positivity he had from them during the March camp and that is not coming back.