Joe Cole has caused a stir by including versatile Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah in his ideal England World Cup squad while dropping Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
Trevoh Chalobah and Harry Maguire find themselves on different paths as Thomas Tuchel finalises his World Cup plans. Chalobah, despite being a consistent performer in Chelsea’s backline with 41 appearances this season, faces a race against time after sustaining a high ankle sprain against PSG.
His international experience remains limited to a single cap earned in 2025, but his tactical flexibility as a hybrid defender offers him an outside chance.
Conversely, Harry Maguire has enjoyed a second wind under Michael Carrick at Manchester United. After 18 months in the international wilderness, Maguire got himself a recall for the March 2026 friendlies.
And he marked his return by captaining England in the second half against Uruguay.
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Joe Cole wants to see Trevoh Chalobah in England’s World Cup squad
In a TikTok on the Dressing Room Podcast‘s account, Joe Cole said ‘no’ to Harry Maguire when picking his final World Cup squad, but said ‘yes’ to Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.
Joe Cole has long been a fan of Chalobah, claiming that it was a mistake to let him go out on loan to Crystal Palace last season.
“He’s been impressive since he walked back in the door. The central defensive position for Chelsea, I think about the players we’ve let out the door, Marc Guehi, Chalobah, Tomori, and the amount of money spent on replacements, the Badiashiles, Fofanas, the Koulibalys of this world, you wonder how that’s gonna play out over the past two years.
“You wonder how that’s going to play out, because I still think Trevoh Chalobah’s our best central defender, and he’s getting better and better. He understands the club, it was a crime to let him leave. He’s been brilliant today. He’s improving constantly.”
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England’s record with Chalobah and Maguire
Harry Maguire and Trevoh Chalobah possess vastly different levels of international experience, and notably, the two defenders have never shared the pitch for the senior England team.
Harry Maguire
65 caps, 40 wins, 13 draws, 12 losses.
He remains one of England’s most statistically reliable performers, maintaining a 71% win rate over a nine-year international career that includes 19 appearances in major tournaments, including two World Cups.
Trevoh Chalobah
1 cap, 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss.
Chalobah’s senior experience is limited to a single appearance in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal in June 2025.
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