The World Cup squad dilemmas facing Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has commenced the process of reaching out to the England hopefuls who will not be part of the World Cup roster.

Receiving this call is a situation no athlete wishes to encounter—this moment is critical, as representing one's nation on the world stage remains the ultimate achievement, even in a predominantly club-focused environment.

The finalized squad will be announced on Friday. For the 26 players selected, an invaluable opportunity awaits—England approaches this tournament with strong expectations, vying for the championship in New Jersey on 19 July.

However, those receiving disappointing news from the England head coach will face a summer filled with reflections on what could have been.

BBC Sport delves into Tuchel's significant selection considerations for the final squad and highlights those players who have considerable cause for concern throughout this selection phase.

Will 'leader' John Stones make it?

Tuchel's defensive selections have presented some of his most pressing challenges, particularly due to ongoing injury and fitness concerns.

Normally, centre-back John Stones would rank among the initial choices for the England manager. Upon taking the position, Tuchel recognized captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Stones as integral members of his leadership structure.

Throughout the initial months of his tenure, the German coach maintained regular communication with these three players to emphasize their importance to his strategies.

A fully fit Stones is expected to secure a starting position for England this summer; however, the 31-year-old has made only four Premier League appearances this season.

Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa appear to be secured for a spot on the flight to North America, while Harry Maguire's recall to the national team in March has bolstered his chances.

Additional considerations include Jarell Quansah's versatility, which may work to his benefit, while Trevoh Chalobah and Fikayo Tomori were selected for March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, though their paths to the final 26 may be more arduous.

Levi Colwill, who recently returned from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury, featured in Tuchel's extended 55-man roster but is unlikely to be part of the final squad.

The right-back position is also under scrutiny—Trent Alexander-Arnold's inclusion is highly anticipated. On the surface, the Real Madrid player might seem to be at risk of exclusion, having not been selected for the March internationals despite Tuchel naming over 30 players.

Last year, Tuchel indicated that Quansah, a central defender, was prioritized over Alexander-Arnold, suggesting a bleak outlook.

Nonetheless, Tuchel faces challenges at right-back. Reece James, projected to be the primary starter, has struggled with injuries throughout the season.

Tino Livramento, who would typically be a candidate, has been sidelined due to a thigh injury since mid-April.

The uncertainty surrounding Livramento, combined with Ben White's anticipated exclusion as he recovers from a severe knee injury, might open a pathway for Alexander-Arnold.

Given that England is expected to dominate possession against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L, Alexander-Arnold's strengths in maintaining the ball could align well with Tuchel's plans during the tournament's early rounds.

Djed Spence of Tottenham may also emerge as a viable option, having played four times under Tuchel.

Luke Shaw's resurgence in form has created a positive complication for Tuchel as he finalizes his squad. The exceptional performance of Nico O'Reilly at Manchester City suggests his selection is almost guaranteed, while Dan Burn and Lewis Hall from Newcastle will also be vying for a place.

Who will win the race to be back up to Kane?

As the captain and primary striker, Harry Kane enters the tournament with a secure position.

However, the competition to provide support as the backup striker has intensified, and it is understood that the German coach is contemplating the inclusion of three strikers.

Having been omitted from the last selection, Ollie Watkins has reestablished his candidacy by scoring 11 goals in 14 games for Aston Villa.

Ivan Toney, who has faced nearly a year away from international football and currently plays in Saudi Arabia, still hopes to be considered. His penalty-taking ability may work in his favor.

There is significant support for including Danny Welbeck, who has netted 14 goals in a standout season with Brighton. The 35-year-old last represented England in September 2018 but found his name on Tuchel's long list of 55 players.

Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin received selections for the March friendlies, although the situation for the Tottenham forward is uncertain due to a muscle injury.

Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, remains a consistent scorer for Leeds, with his season tally reaching 15 goals following his decisive strike in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brighton.

The battle for number 10

Tuchel’s tenure has been characterized by discussions about the identity of his number 10.

Last October, he caused surprise by excluding Jude Bellingham from the squad after the Real Madrid midfielder had just recovered from injury, opting instead for a stable lineup.

This decision allowed Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers to maintain his position as the number 10 for the team, having started five of England's eight World Cup qualifying matches.

Tuchel has aimed to cultivate a club atmosphere within the England squad, repeatedly emphasizing the priority of the team over individual recognition.

Among the other creative alternatives, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are anxiously awaiting news regarding their potential inclusion.

Chelsea's Palmer has started only twice under Tuchel, largely due to injuries that kept him out during the bulk of the World Cup qualifying phase.

Foden was the sole England player to start both matches during March's friendlies but did not deliver a standout performance.

After the last international break, Tuchel acknowledged that Foden, who has been a sporadic starter for Manchester City recently, does not have a guaranteed spot in the final squad.