The World Cup squad dilemmas facing Tuchel

Some of Tuchel's biggest dilemmas person been successful defence, wherever determination person been wounded and fittingness issues.

Centre-back John Stones, successful mean circumstances, would person been 1 of the archetypal names connected the England manager's list.

When helium accepted the job, Tuchel identified skipper Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Stones arsenic the cardinal members of his enactment group.

The German, during the opening months of his reign, would enactment successful regular interaction with the trio via substance connection - assuring them of however important they were to his plans.

A afloat acceptable Stones is simply a nailed-on starter for England this summer. But the 31-year-old has made conscionable 4 Premier League starts this season.

Central defenders Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa look definite to marque the level to North America, portion Harry Maguire's planetary callback successful March volition summation the Manchester United man's hopes of a place.

Beyond that; Jarell Quansah's versatility could number successful his favour, portion Trevoh Chalobah and Fikayo Tomori were some included successful the squad for March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan – but look an uphill conflict to marque the last 26.

Levi Colwill, who has lone precocious returned from a semipermanent cruciate genu ligament injury, was included successful Tuchel's extended 55-man enactment for the tourney but is improbable to marque the afloat squad.

At right-back, each eyes – arsenic ever – volition beryllium connected whether Trent Alexander-Arnold makes the cut. On the look of it, the Real Madrid antheral should fearfulness the worst.

He wasn't included successful the squad for March's internationals contempt Tuchel selecting much than 30 players successful total.

Last year, Tuchel said Quansah – a cardinal defender – was up of him successful the pecking order, truthful it doesn't needfully look good.

That said, Tuchel has issues astatine right-back. Reece James, who is expected to commencement the tourney arsenic archetypal prime successful the position, has endured an wounded disrupted campaign.

Tino Livramento would besides usually beryllium selected. But the Newcastle full-back hasn't played since mid-April due to the fact that of a thigh injury.

The uncertainty implicit Livramento's fitness, coupled with the expected exclusion of Arsenal's Ben White – who is recovering from a superior genu wounded – could yet unfastened the doorway for Alexander-Arnold.

And with England anticipating the bulk of the shot successful their Group L matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, Alexander-Arnold's strengths successful possession whitethorn suit Tuchel's broadside during the aboriginal stages of the tournament.

Tottenham's Djed Spence could besides beryllium an option, having played 4 times nether Tuchel.

Luke Shaw's tally into signifier has fixed Tuchel with a invited headache arsenic helium finalises his squad. Nico O'Reilly's outstanding signifier for Manchester City means helium volition astir surely beryllium selected, with Newcastle duo Dan Burn and Lewis Hall besides hoping to get the nod.