Thomas Tuchel has spoken out on Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo's England futures.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United warms up before the Carabao Cup round 3 match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford
Harry Maguire may never play for England again (Image: Getty Images)
Kobbie Mainoo has been assured of playing time following his lack of England minutes at the World Cup - but Harry Maguire's international career might be over. Thomas Tuchel revealed he feels a "duty" to field Mainoo in at least one of the four Nations League fixtures after the Manchester United midfielder failed to feature for a single minute during the summer tournament.
However, Tuchel has now selected him and made it abundantly clear that he is determined to give him opportunities following the summer's disappointment. England manager Tuchel said: "I expect him to be on the pitch and it's my duty to put him on the pitch. That was totally on me, he did not put a foot wrong at the World Cup. He was class in behaviour and on the training pitch.
"It was a big competition. We also played Reecey in midfield, Elliot Anderson is fantastic, Declan Rice is a very unique player. So we trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie.
"It was difficult for him, difficult for me. He got injured before the France game [the third-place play-off] so we could not even give him minutes there which hurt me. Maybe he was more hurt but it was my responsibility."
Tuchel has recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold with a firm message - while confirming there is no route back for Harry Maguire.
Tuchel informed Alexander-Arnold that he has "no choice" but to learn to defend if he wishes to remain part of his long-term England vision.
The Real Madrid full-back was excluded from the World Cup squad but has now been handed a lifeline for the Nations League campaign. But Tuchel adopted a far less sympathetic stance towards Maguire, who was similarly dropped from the 26-man squad for the summer.
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Kobbie Mainoo did not play a single minute at the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
Maguire openly expressed his frustration, and Tuchel suggested the Manchester United defender "did not help" his cause by also revealing his omission ahead of the official announcement.
Nevertheless, Tuchel maintains Alexander-Arnold now has a significant "chance" during this international window. When questioned whether the attack-minded right back must prioritise defending, Tuchel responded: "He has to, he has to. It's necessary. My conviction is that he will but he has no choice.
"I know what he is capable of. I know about his talent. I know what he is saying. That he is desperate to play for England and he will fight for his shirt.
"So here we are. He is in camp and he has the chance. It's a long camp and it's a good moment to to show up."
Tuchel had not contacted Alexander-Arnold prior to selecting him this time but had witnessed the Real Madrid star publicly declare his determination to return. The recall also comes with Ben White and Reece James unavailable due to injury.
Tuchel explained: "I spoke to him before the World Cup and told him my decision and this time it was the good news. He heard the good news over the nomination."
However, Tuchel took a firmer approach with Maguire, whose mum said she was "absolutely disgusted" by his summer exclusion.
Tuchel, who selected Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of Maguire, stopped short of ruling out a return entirely, yet made it abundantly clear that the United defender's chances of pulling on an England shirt again were virtually non-existent.
When pressed on whether the backlash surrounding Maguire's omission made it harder to select him in future, Tuchel remarked: "It doesn't help. It does not help.
"I will not hold it against him for the rest of his life, because I'm not that type of person. I can forget easily and quickly, but I didn't like it and it doesn't help."