The England players out of Tuchel’s bumper squad and facing World Cup heartache | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has named a 35-man England squad for Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, the final camp before he cuts to 26 for the World Cup. Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw were omitted. According to NY Times, Tuchel set out his plans at Wembley.

The group is split in two. Fringe and uncapped players will be assessed around Uruguay next Friday, then a core contingent, including Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, links up for Japan four days later. Tuchel said no one is guaranteed a seat on the plane to America.

Alexander-Arnold’s absence is striking with Reece James injured. Tuchel is instead looking at Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence at right-back, with Ezri Konsa, Fikayo Tomori and James Garner also able to cover, though none play there regularly. He said he knows what Alexander-Arnold offers.

Watkins, long viewed as Kane’s deputy, misses out while Tuchel assesses Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke. Watkins has eight league goals in 29 games, and only one in his last 10 across all competitions. Calvert-Lewin has been productive for Leeds, while Solanke has scored since January after injury.

Shaw has started 30 league games for United but has not been called up since Euro 2024, and with alternatives such as Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly emerging, his prospects look slim. Nick Pope is overlooked as five goalkeepers are named, including James Trafford and Jason Steele. Aaron Ramsdale, on loan at Newcastle from Southampton, returns.

Source: NY Times