Thomas Tuchel has defended his controversial England World Cup squad decisions, insisting that team spirit and selflessness were prioritised over individual talent. Speaking to the press on Friday, the German coach addressed the notable omissions of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Luke Shaw.
'It's not selecting the most talented players. Teams win championships and what we are trying to achieve can only be achieved with a team. We chose a very balanced squad,' Tuchel said. He assured fans that the 26 selected players are '100 per cent committed' and know their roles.
Among the surprise inclusions are Ivan Toney, who plays in Saudi Arabia, and John Stones, who has not played a full Premier League game since August. Tuchel explained that Toney's special skills as a finisher and penalty taker could prove valuable, while Stones remains a world-class player with a winning mentality.
Tuchel also stressed the importance of set pieces and penalties, with specialists chosen accordingly. 'I don’t fear leaving them at home. I’m very confident in the group we chose,' he added, acknowledging the difficult conversations with left-out players.
The full squad includes goalkeepers Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford; defenders Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Reece James and Dan Burn; midfielders Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze; and forwards Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon.
