Thomas Tuchel says the door remains open to those outside of this England squad, but form alone won't be enough for hopefuls to force their way back in. Attitude and the ability to blend into the squad environment are integral qualities for England contenders but above all, Tuchel values unwavering desire and commitment. "It's always about the ones who are in camp," Tuchel said on Friday after his latest England squad announcement. "It's always the ones who don't withdraw and who walk the talk and come to camp and show that it matters and put the quality in. And this is always what we will reward."
In other words, although he says decisions aren't personal, read this as a warning to Cole Palmer and others who have withdrawn from camp during his tenure. And for every player who has stepped aside, Tuchel is all too happy to look at the next generation eagerly knocking on his door.
There was a sewage truck in the bowels of Wembley on Friday. The smell was pungent, to say the least. But as Tuchel talked through his latest squad, he was talking about players like Josh King and Jobe Bellingham like they were breaths of fresh air. He talked up King's "attitude, smile and positivity" and also the excitement and joy with which Jobe Bellingham greeted news of his first call-up.
"I was very happy to give [Jobe] the call, and I saw his excitement straight away, and his smile. He's a very open and calm personality. So it was a very nice phone call," Tuchel said. Tuchel clearly feels youthful exuberance and eagerness can fit into the squad environment he's moulding, or the "brotherhood" as he labelled it around the World Cup.
Tuchel was nervous before the last camp. There were several big personalities and leaders missing from the World Cup: Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Dan Burn and Dean Henderson were all absent. "They played a huge part in minutes and atmosphere and standards," Tuchel said. But as the squad navigated that tricky four-game stretch, which started with the defeat to Spain, and was followed by wins in Prague, in Croatia and then back at Wembley against Czechia, Tuchel was delighted with the squad's balance. "They've built a very strong foundation which these players benefit from," Tuchel said. "We took this decision to give them a chance and now it's proof of concept to show they can. We always want to embrace change as something positive -- it doesn't mean the door is closed. We decided to give this group a second push."
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So caught up in the midst of that cocktail are the players left out, and the new faces drafted in. Palmer, Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson, Burn, Kobbie Mainoo, Noni Madueke, Phil Foden and Nico O'Reilly are all available but left out. Tino Livramento, Trevoh Chalobah, Alex Scott, Reece James, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are all injured. King and Jobe Bellingham could win their first caps against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday or in Madrid against Spain next Sunday, while Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Ben White are also recalled having recovered from injury.
But it's the case of Palmer which gets the most interest. He was called up to the previous squad in September only to withdraw due to discomfort and pain having played all five of Chelsea's matches up to the last international break. "He misses too many opportunities," Tuchel said at the time. "I don't blame him for it. It is just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within in my team, and for that you have to be in camp."
That missed opportunity theme was reiterated by Tuchel on Friday, who named a host of other options for the No. 10 role in Palmer's absence. Six players out of the 25-man squad could happily slot in at 10. "It counts when you are in camp and I just said it last time, he misses too many opportunities to impress," Tuchel said. "It was a long camp. It was two-and-a-half weeks and the players and the boys who were in camp built something extraordinary throughout these weeks."
Tuchel added: "We will never assume that Cole is not in the mindset to come and desperate to play for his country, but the competition is on." Palmer's been put on notice.
Just like the World Cup squad, talent is not enough. Players have to fit into Tuchel's ethos -- he values that above all else. So before calling up Jobe Bellingham and King, Tuchel did his due diligence. Lee Carsley, the England Under-21 manager, has put huge trust in both. Jobe Bellingham captains the Under-21s, Josh King has played for all of England's age-grade sides and frequently for Carsley. So when Tuchel wanted a background check, Carsley duly gave them his seal of approval. It's good news for them and Tuchel, but also an endorsement of the FA's pathway.
What Tuchel enjoys is their youthful exuberance and enthusiasm. With Jobe, he'd have no doubt called on trusted voices from his former club Dortmund, but he was thrilled with the player's response when he called him up. "He has had an excellent start to the season. He's a regular starter now there and very influential," Tuchel said. "He's of course excited and happy and eager to impress and that's the best foundation to have a good camp for us." If Jobe gets his chance in the next couple of matches, then the Bellinghams will become the 22nd set of brothers to play for England. But don't for one minute think Jobe is merely a clone of his older brother Jude. "He's a more defensive player than his brother Jude, so strong on the ball, good physique, big body, very physical player, and can keep possession," Tuchel said of Jobe.
And with King, Tuchel can see him covering all four attacking positions and even played as a fullback at one stage in training. Fullback may be a stretch but King's attacking versatility appeals to Tuchel, who had a close look at him having been one of the additional players England took to their pre-World Cup camp last summer. "He's just a fantastic character and has made a good start to the season. He brings us a bit of flexibility," Tuchel said of King. "He's difficult to defend against so hopefully he can bring this spark to, to camp and make an impression."
Tuchel's face lights up as he talks about the youngsters. The same goes for Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha, who will challenge Morgan Rogers for the right-wing spot in Saka's absence, with Tuchel calling the Liverpool forward an "electric player" and offering "very rare" qualities.
Generations of England players will collide on Thursday: two hopefuls looking to win their first cap, several eager-eyed contenders hoping to cement their place in the squad, and then there's Harry Kane earning his 126th cap, making him England men's most-capped player ever. But still amid all this tweaking, changing, celebrations and blending, the demands and expectation remain the same. England welcome Croatia to Wembley on Thursday and then travel to Madrid to tackle the world champions Spain on Sunday.
Tuchel will want to see further evolution on the field, but signs off the pitch the spine and blend of this group can carry England through to Euro 2028. And within that, unwavering commitment to the cause is paramount.
