Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a brutal reality check for England's brightest stars, warning that no player - not even Jude Bellingham or Bukayo Saka - is guaranteed a place in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad.
The Selection Conundrum Facing Southgate
With England boasting what many consider their most talented generation in decades, Tuchel believes Southgate faces an unprecedented headache when whittling down his provisional 33-man squad to the final 26 for Germany. The sheer depth of quality available means several high-profile names could face devastating disappointment.
'You have to take the best and fittest players,' Tuchel declared to Independent Sport. 'It's not about the name, it's about current form. You have to make brutal decisions.'
Who's at Risk? The Big Names in the Firing Line
While Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka would appear untouchable, Tuchel's comments suggest even they cannot afford complacency. The situation becomes even more precarious for emerging talents like Chelsea's Cole Palmer, whose spectacular season still might not guarantee him a ticket to Germany.
The competition across attacking positions is particularly fierce:
- Phil Foden's Premier League Player of the Season credentials
- Harry Kane's inevitable inclusion as captain and record scorer
- Established wingers like Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish
- In-form options including Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze
The Final Countdown to Euro 2024
Southgate must submit his final 26-man squad to UEFA by June 7th, following England's friendly matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland. These final fixtures represent the last chance for players to stake their claim and avoid what Tuchel describes as the 'painful phone calls' informing them they haven't made the cut.
With expectations higher than ever for England to end their 58-year trophy drought, Southgate's squad selection could prove the most decisive decision of their campaign.
