England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his decision to leave several high-profile players out of his latest squad, stating that assembling the best team does not necessarily mean selecting the best individual players.
The German coach has named his squad for the upcoming friendly against Wales and the World Cup qualifier versus Latvia, opting to stick largely with the group that delivered positive results last month. Notably absent are Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, despite both being available for selection.
Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham’s desire to be included after the pair spoke by phone but stood by his selection philosophy. “We’re building the best team,” the manager stated, pushing back against the notion that successful sides always field their most dangerous attackers.
When questioned about World Cup-winning teams typically selecting their strongest forwards, Tuchel responded pointedly: “Do you have proof of that? I have proof that last camp was our best camp.”
The England boss emphasized the importance of squad harmony, pointing to the supportive atmosphere during last month’s victories over Andorra and Serbia. He believes the collective spirit directly contributed to the team’s performance levels.
“What would be my explanation to leave them out and also be authentic in my words?” Tuchel asked, referring to players who impressed during the previous international break. “For credibility as a coach you need to walk the talk.”
The only change to the attacking contingent sees Bukayo Saka return in place of the injured Noni Madueke, though Tuchel indicated the Arsenal winger might not have been recalled had Madueke been fit.
Tuchel confirmed he had personally communicated with Foden, Jack Grealish, and several other omitted players about his decisions. The manager also addressed scheduling concerns for next year’s World Cup, advocating for later kick-off times in North American host cities to protect players from extreme heat, despite the inconvenience for fans in the United Kingdom.
The selections signal Tuchel’s commitment to rewarding recent performances over reputation as England continue their preparations for the World Cup.
