England squad analysed: Arsenal and Man City dominate as Tuchel leans into athleticism | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has stirred debate with an England squad featuring bold calls, omitting Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw while recalling Ivan Toney, Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento as Euro 2024 runners-up look to go one better in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

NY Times notes Arsenal and Manchester City supply four players each, with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Madueke from the Premier League champions, and Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones and James Trafford from City.

Several likely starters arrive heavy-legged, with Jordan Pickford, Guehi, Rice, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Harry Kane each playing 75 per cent or more of 2025-26. The experience profile is polarised, six players have more than 50 caps, 10 have 10 or fewer, none sits between 30 and 40.

Tuchel’s selections hint at an emphasis on athleticism and flexibility. Djed Spence has often played left-back for Tottenham despite preferring right-back, Tino Livramento is comfortable on either flank, and Reece James looks the leading right-back, fitness permitting.

Pickford’s shot-stopping has been excellent, preventing four goals above expectation, with Dean Henderson strong since 2023-24 and James Trafford a back-up with cup-final experience. In midfield, Rice is pivotal, Anderson has become a regular, and Jude Bellingham remains all-action. Kane leads after 36 Bundesliga goals, with Toney’s 59-from-63 penalties a notable asset.

Source: NY Times