Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad will be announced on Friday.placeholder image
Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad will be announced on Friday. | Getty Images
This Manchester United star has been pushing for a recall to the England squad in recent months
The World Cup is just a matter of months away and Thomas Tuchel will name his squad for the final international break before the tournament this Friday morning, with the announcement coming at 10:00 GMT.
England qualified for the tournament in style and face friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and 31, respectively, as the Three Lions test themselves against the level of opposition which they are set to face in the finals.
With Croatia, Ghana and Panama in England’s group for the tournament in North America, this month’s friendly matches in preparation will pose some of the sternest tests endured by Tuchel as England manager so far. The Three Lions lost in a friendly to Senegal at the City Ground in June and will hope to avoid fate repeating itself this time around.
Tuchel’s squad announcement is just days away and there are sure to be some surprise inclusions – with one Manchester United star emerging as a late contender to make the cut.
Harry Maguire should be recalled to the England squad
United have seen a stunning revival under Michael Carrick in recent months and that has raised the question over whether Tuchel should name a Red Devils star in his England squad for the first time.
Carrick’s side boasts multiple former England internationals who must be on the verge of returning to the fold, with Kobbie Mainoo impressing on his return to the United starting XI – but if there is one player who should be recalled to the Three Lions squad ahead of the World Cup, it is Harry Maguire.
It is easy to say that Maguire’s experience and tournament know-how make him an easy pick for Tuchel this summer. But there is more to it than that. Maguire is a player who is bang in form at present, and it should come as no coincidence that his return from injury and into the United starting XI under Carrick has seen his side’s fortunes change drastically on the pitch. The 32-year-old had made just four league starts under Amorim earlier this term but has been trusted by Carrick, starting nine straight matches of which seven have yielded victories.
Maguire currently sees his contract run out this summer but amidst growing calls from fans and pundits alike for an extension, he could yet force his way into the England squad for what surely would be his final World Cup this summer.
Maguire would be the perfect addition to Tuchel’s World Cup squad
Tuchel has suggested on multiple occasions that he will pick his squad based on who can help the team most at present, nothing more long-term than that. Maguire’s leadership and vast experience at the back would make him a key player in the dressing room, while it is easy to forget that the centre-back has also blasted home penalties in major tournament shoot-outs in the past, and offers a significant aerial threat from set-pieces.
Another key factor in why Maguire should be selected by Tuchel is the lack of match sharpness of John Stones. It can be argued that England need at least one experienced defender in the squad, but Stones has hardly featured for Manchester City this season – even after returning to fitness – and is far from possessing the sharpness necessary to be trusted at a World Cup at present. In step Maguire, who is doing enough at club level to make himself impossible to ignore.
If Jordan Henderson can earn a place in the squad for his tournament experience and off-field qualities - and many think he will - does the same not apply to Maguire? It is clear to see that the former United captain could have an even greater impact on the tournament than the Brentford man, and his inclusion as one of the squad’s most experienced heads could even leave room for his club team-mate Mainoo to take up a spot on the plane instead of Henderson in midfield, too. We will learn a far greater insight into Tuchel’s thinking come Friday morning.
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