England manager Thomas Tuchel finds himself grappling with one significant problem as his team approaches the World Cup with an otherwise flawless qualifying record. While most positions in the starting lineup appear settled, the left-back role presents a genuine selection headache that demands immediate attention.
The Rotating Door at Left-Back
England have deployed an astonishing ten different players in the left-back position across their last seventeen international matches, dating back to the Euro 2024 semi-final against Holland. This remarkable statistic highlights the ongoing uncertainty in a crucial area of the pitch. With just three fixtures remaining before the World Cup squad selection—Sunday's qualifier against Albania and two friendlies scheduled for March—this international break represents a critical opportunity for contenders to stake their claim.
Emerging Contenders and Fading Prospects
The recent victory against Serbia at Wembley showcased a promising performance from Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly. The 20-year-old, who only made his Premier League debut in January, demonstrated impressive qualities that could provide the solution Tuchel seeks. O'Reilly appeared physically strong, comfortable in possession, aggressive in forward movements, and solid in defensive duties—all essential attributes for a full-back in Tuchel's system that demands marauding, overlapping players.
The landscape of potential left-backs has shifted considerably since the Holland match. Kieran Trippier, who featured in that game, has since retired from international football. Luke Shaw, despite his involvement in the Euro 2024 final, appears to have fallen out of favour despite maintaining strong club form at Manchester United.
Other players who have been tested in the position include Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold (playing on his unnatural side), Lewis Hall, Rico Lewis, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Djed Spence, and Tino Livramento. Injuries have hampered Livramento's prospects, while Lewis-Skelly has lost his starting place at Arsenal, making his inclusion difficult to justify under Tuchel's established principle that players must be regularly starting for their clubs to earn England selection.
Who Will Seize the Opportunity?
Tottenham's Djed Spence presents an interesting case, potentially being more effective on the left despite being right-footed, as his tendency to cut inside and deliver dangerous crosses could prove advantageous. His versatility also makes him a valuable squad option.
However, Nico O'Reilly currently appears to be in pole position to solve England's problem area. Tuchel himself has described the young defender as "very shy" off the pitch, but his bold and brave performance against Serbia suggested a player ready for the international stage. With England maintaining a perfect record and another clean sheet in their qualifying campaign, the defensive foundation remains strong, but the specific demands of the full-back roles in Tuchel's system require particular qualities that O'Reilly may possess.
As the World Cup approaches, the left-back position remains the final piece of Tuchel's selection puzzle, with O'Reilly's emergence offering a potential solution to a problem that has persisted for over a year.
