Barring a catastrophe, England are going to be there, but in what sort of shape still seems unclear.
Cole Palmer could have a big part to play in Tuchel’s plans for England (Photo: Getty)
A biggie, this. Tuchel came into the job talking of transplanting the pressing, energetic Premier League style into the national team but how realistic is that given the heat they will encounter in the US, Mexico and Canada?
Tuchel’s squad isn’t exactly blessed with players capable of doing that – Adam Wharton’s most recent engagements have been with the under-21s – but he needs to find a way otherwise England will be expending a lot of unnecessary energy chasing after the ball when they collide with the elite sides.
A Harry Kane Plan B
But Ivan Toney’s shock recall suggests Plan B is not yet set in stone. Toney is scoring goals but in an inferior league so can consider himself lucky to be involved at all.
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Everyone knows England have a talent for the ages with Jude Bellingham, but his national team career has been about moments rather than sustained influence in the biggest matches so far.
Yet the rewards might just be taking England further than they have ever been in an overseas World Cup.
The Jordan Henderson question
But the selection still appears baffling when there are better midfielders playing in the Premier League.
Dan Burn has been called up for his experience and leadership qualities (Photo: Getty)
Give Southgate his due, he was not afraid of ripping up the best-laid plans to accommodate bolters in his England squads.
It is an interesting decision given the way the domestic game in England is going with a heavy push towards players under the age of 26. Will Tuchel stick with it as the months tick closer to the World Cup?
Declan Rice water carrier?
But for England, he has primarily been used as a player who recycles the ball to those who then go on the front foot.
An area where England always had strength and certainty, suddenly their defence is a cause for concern. With Harry Maguire seemingly cast out and Marc Guehi injured, there is an unfamiliar look about Tuchel’s defensive options.
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Time for Ezri Konsa to step up? Or can Ben White – back in the picture after talks with Tuchel – make the step up?
Making Trent Alexander-Arnold the Real deal
That Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold now qualify suggests there is something in the idea that this is a golden generation.
The expansion to 48 teams was always going to make this World Cup a mess but the geographical spread poses really logistical problems for the Football Association.
England have tried to replicate the feel of a World Cup environment with their mini camp in Girona but nailing down plans is going to be fiendishly difficult.
Undercooked England must be a worry
Senegal, ranked 19th in the world, are the most difficult opponents England will face before concluding the qualifiers in November. Good luck trying to spin a double header against Andorra as anything other than a glorified training exercise.
It is a worry. England need to test themselves against the best and Nations League relegation means they haven’t played anyone decent since they took on Spain in Berlin back in July. The fixture planners need to put some proper tests in place for early 2026.
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Squaring the attacking circle
How does Tuchel avoid the trap Southgate fell into by playing it safe?
You suspect that if he can find a formula to utilise these dangerous players, he will be halfway to winning the World Cup.
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