Who should England take to the World Cup?

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, hosts Matt Davis-Adams, Stu James, and Jack Pitbrook discuss the England squad announced by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Tuchel has named a 35-man squad that includes five goalkeepers as he auditions fringe players for World Cup selection. The discussion centers on who is likely to make the final cut, with a spotlight on players like Harry Maguire and Kobi Mayne, both returning after significant time away from international duty.

The squad is divided into 'possibles' and 'probables', with several players competing for a limited number of spots. There's a focus on the importance of these friendlies as a final audition for players who are not guaranteed a place in the World Cup squad. The hosts analyze Tuchel's strategy of evaluating both the physical performance and social integration of these players during training.

Another key discussion point is the surprising omission of Trent Alexander-Arnold, which reflects ongoing difficulties in integrating him into the England setup, despite the injury issues of several other right-backs. The hosts further evaluate Danny Welbeck's snubbing, with conversation surrounding other striking options like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Solanke.

The episode wraps up with an overview of the midfielder positions, stressing the talent and depth available, especially with players like Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson likely to lead the midfield. The hosts predict tough choices ahead for Tuchel, especially with the World Cup format being physically demanding.