Online Reporter
FOUR months today in Dallas, England start their World Cup campaign against Croatia.
We should just be grateful that they are not jetting off today — because the majority of boss Thomas Tuchel’s side are bang out of form.
The German, who last week signed a two-year extension as boss until 2028, had a team flying in all positions back in October and in the majority of his qualifiers.
Our debate back then was . . . how on earth can he squeeze a flying Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford into his embarrassment of riches?
Now, the debate is . . . can these players find their form again before the touchdown in Dallas?
At the back
Jordan Pickford remains England’s No 1 keeper and does not have a serious contender — despite some worryingly shaky moments in recent weeks.
Yet the defence is the major worry, and left-back is the team’s biggest problem.
Incredibly, England have featured TEN different players in that position in the last 18 matches.
Tuchel likes Nico O’Reilly and he was flying at left-back in the autumn. But really he is an inexperienced midfielder and has gone back to that position at Manchester City.
O’Reilly is playing well — but not where Tuchel wants him to be.
Lewis Hall is a contender on the left of a back four, while Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence have suffered with a mixture of poor form and injuries.
Luke Shaw has a chance of making the squad now that he is playing at left-back for Manchester United, and Dan Burn at Newcastle is the other option.
In central defence, John Stones would be the preferred partner to the classy Marc Guehi, his new City team-mate.
But he has suffered a nightmare season and has played only four times since England’s 2-0 win over Albania in November.
In-form Ezri Konsa at Aston Villa provides some relief but there are more worries at right-back.
Reece James should start there even though he has been playing in midfield for Chelsea at times.
But his England career has yet to really get off the ground and he is susceptible to injuries.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has really struggled since joining Real Madrid but is now back playing — yet it would still be a surprise if he got back into the reckoning.
Other than that, in a position where England have often had plenty of options, it is looking a bit thin.
Middle management
England are lucky to have Declan Rice in midfield and he is Mr Consistent for Arsenal and his country. But the more defensive midfield position is a concern.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson was brilliant before Christmas as the ‘No 6’ but his form has dropped off as the Tricky Trees enter a relegation fight.
Brentford’s Jordan Henderson will not be starting any World Cup matches even if he is there to be an experienced head in camp.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, Morgan Gibbs-White at Forest and Conor Gallagher at Spurs are all in the frame but not exactly setting the world alight.
Tuchel is also a big fan of Everton’s James Garner although he is yet to get his chance, and Kobbie Mainoo — who has played just once for England since Euro 2024 — is back in the reckoning as he is playing again for United.
But it is hardly the settled pairing that England have had in previous tournaments and any more injuries here leave England very light.
Striking it, not
It is still all about Harry Kane. Beyond him, it is all a bit hit and miss.
At the World Cup, would you want England starting with Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Liam Delap, Dominic Solanke, Danny Welbeck or Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front?
Much has been made about England’s embarrassment of riches in wide and No 10 attacking areas.
Bukayo Saka, although a certain starter for England, has been just OK for Arsenal while his stand-in, Noni Madueke, has also shown some good form in flashes.
The third Arsenal attacker, Eze, was flying in November but now faces not making the World Cup squad because he is not playing enough club football.
Jack Grealish is injured at Everton and ruled out, while Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Barcelona loanee Rashford and Chelsea’s Palmer are all sweating on their places after injury and losing form.
Palmer at least has scored some goals of late, but his groin issue keeps returning.
On current form, Jarrod Bowen deserves to be picked as he has been trying to carry West Ham in a relegation fight.
Rogers at Villa has had an incredible season and will go but he is another player who has gone off the boil a little.
This is what happens with young players, though, so nothing says he cannot get back to where he was over the festive period.
Newcastle’s Gordon has been a regular pick for Tuchel but is way off colour.
As for Jude Bellingham, he has also struggled with form and fitness for Real Madrid and his latest hamstring blow could see him sweating even further.
Over the next few weeks, Tuchel will continue his tour of Premier League grounds and it would be nice if more than a handful of his players were actually performing well -Sun.
