Decision to essentially name two squads featuring 35 players overall is the ‘least messy’ solution and offers the best chance to assess fringe players
I
t has been on Thomas Tuchel’s mind for some time, certainly since his England team secured qualification to the World Cup last November with the perfect record – played eight, won eight, zero goals conceded. The March international window, the last one before the finals in the summer, was always going to be less ideal.
It arrives at the moment when the club season enters its final stretch; trophies on the line, European places, survival or relegation. The lot. It is not as if the players have not already been pushed hard. Now rotation for the very best, the ones that Tuchel counts on, is simply not an option.
The camp remains vital and not only because Tuchel has been kicking his heels for more than four months, desperate to feel that connection with the squad again. It is a chance for him to work on the training ground and goodness knows there are not too many of those in the international game. Furthermore, there are players on the edges who are determined to push their cases for inclusion in the 26-man squad that Tuchel will take to the finals.
