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5 England Stars Could Force Tuchel into Final Squad U-Turn

Published

7 months ago

November 19, 2025

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Thomas Tuchel has spent the past year shaping England around a tight, reliable core, keeping selection changes to a minimum.

The England manager has been clear about wanting tactical consistency and familiarity – something that wasn’t always present in previous cycles. As a result, many talented players have found themselves on the fringes, not because they lack the ability, but because Tuchel’s structure relies heavily on cohesion and specific roles.

But tournaments rarely follow predictable scripts. Injuries, momentum swings and sudden spikes in form often reshape squad decisions in the months leading up to a major competition. With the 2026 World Cup approaching quickly, several players who haven’t been regulars – due to fitness issues, club situations or simply the depth of competition – still have time to force their way into Tuchel’s final selection.

Here are five players who aren’t central to England’s plans right now, but who absolutely could still make the World Cup next summer.

1. Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)

Kobbie Mainoo’s development has slowed this season, largely due to limited minutes under Ruben Amorim. United’s midfield rotation hasn’t helped his rhythm or confidence, and he’s drifted from the “automatic selection” category he seemed destined for a year ago. But Tuchel still rates him highly.

England don’t have many midfielders who can receive under pressure, turn out of tight spaces and progress play with control. Even when Mainoo hasn’t been playing regularly, he’s often remained in Tuchel’s thinking because of how rare his profile is.

A strong run of form in early 2026 – potentially out on loan – could be enough to push him back into contention – and even without that, his ceiling alone keeps him firmly in the conversation.

2. Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)

Chelsea central defender Trevoh Chalobah looking frustrated after the final whistle

Chalobah has the tools Tuchel values in a defender, composure on the ball, tactical discipline, experience in multiple systems – yet hasn’t been part of England’s recent starting structure.

Injuries earlier in the year disrupted his momentum at Chelsea, and England have leaned on Marc Guehi and John Stones as their main pairing. With Tomori out of recent squads and not in Tuchel’s current plans, the door is very much open behind them.

Chalobah is now playing consistently again for Chelsea, and if he stays fit, he becomes a serious late contender. His versatility: centre-back, right centre-back, even defensive midfield in emergencies, makes him especially attractive for tournament football.

3. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer hasn’t been a regular under Tuchel this year for one simple reason: injury. Fitness problems have disrupted his involvement for both club and country, preventing him from building the rhythm that made him one of England’s most exciting attackers.

But when he’s fit, Palmer is undeniably a game-changer. His creativity, press resistance, movement between the lines and coolness in the final third give England something no other attacker quite replicates. In tight tournament games, where one moment of invention can decide a knockout tie, players like Palmer become invaluable.

Tuchel knows his quality. The only question is fitness.

If Palmer returns strong in early 2026, he doesn’t just have a chance to make the squad – he has a chance to become a starter.

4. Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Harry Maguire Reacts to New Nickname After Mazy Dribble vs Athletic Club

Once an England mainstay, Maguire has slipped down the pecking order under Tuchel, but he is far from out of the World Cup picture.

Tuchel has favoured Guéhi and Stones as his preferred pairing, but beyond them, the competition isn’t settled. Tomori hasn’t been in recent squads. Konsa has been in and out. Levi Colwill’s fitness has been inconsistent. That leaves space for someone with Maguire’s experience.

He remains a dominant aerial presence, a vocal organiser and a proven tournament performer. In a young England squad, that leadership still matters, and Tuchel knows it. If England need reliability and experience as backup, United’s £237,000-a-week defender remains a viable pick.

5. Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid)

Gallagher is always on the fringes of England squads, liked by managers, but not always trusted to start. Tuchel’s selections have tended to favour ball-dominant midfielders like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Adam Wharton, leaving Gallagher fighting for minutes.

But what keeps him in contention is his unmatched energy and defensive output. He presses relentlessly, wins second balls and brings tempo to a midfield that can sometimes look too passive. Gallagher’s ability to shift the intensity of a match makes him a valuable tactical weapon, the kind of player who can change a knockout game simply through work rate and presence.

If the £203,000-a-week star maintains his current form, he has a genuine chance of winning Tuchel over in the final months before the squad is named.

What next?

Tuchel’s England may look settled from the outside, but tournament squads are never as predictable as they seem. Form, fitness and tactical needs can all shift dramatically in the run-up to a World Cup, and these five players sit firmly in that “nearly there” category, not locked in, but far from out of the running.

Mainoo, Chalobah, Palmer, Maguire and Gallagher all have a plausible path back into the squad. For some, it’s about returning to fitness. For others, it’s about rediscovering consistency. And for all of them, one standout run of form between now and May 2026 could be enough to change their international fortunes completely.

The door is open. Now it’s about who steps through it.

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo is Wearing Special Shirt That Only 5 Players Can Wear

Published

14 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

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Cristiano Ronaldo wore a special shirt in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener against DR Congo, and is likely to continue to do so for the rest of this summer’s tournament.

Ronaldo, despite being 41 years old, was included in Roberto Martinez’s 26-man Portugal squad for the competition in North America.

This summer’s tournament will most likely be the last opportunity for Ronaldo to end his career as a World Cup winner.

He was named in Portugal’s starting lineup for their opening match of the tournament against DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon. However, he struggled to make an impact at Houston Stadium.

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but was unable to get on the scoresheet as Portugal stumbled to a 1-1 draw against the African outfit.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Special Shirt vs DR Congo

Ronaldo is starring at a record-equalling sixth World Cup this summer. His World Cup career began in 2006 when he helped his nation to the semi-finals. He has since featured for Portugal in 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

To commemorate his achievements, Ronaldo’s World Cup shirt features a special ‘legacy’ patch on the sleeve.

The patch, which is located just below the World Cup logo, features the Portugal flag alongside the word ‘legacy’.

Only players that have featured in five or more World Cup tournaments are permitted to wear the special patch this summer.

Argentina star Lionel Messi also wore the patch during Argentina’s opener against Algeria. He has also played in the same six World Cups that Ronaldo has played in.

Japan’s Yūto Nagatomo, Germany captain Manuel Neuer and Croatia star Luka Modric also wore the patch in their matches against the Netherlands, Curaçao and Croatia respectively.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed For Performance vs DR Congo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action with DR Congo's Ngal'ayel Mukau and Chancel Mbemba

Ronaldo was slammed by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino following his performance against DR Congo.

He said, per Goal: “I’m trying to be as kind as I can… but he [Ronaldo] was really off it. And he just looks like time has caught up with him. He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball.

“He offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on. I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? Do you want to stay on his side?’ You’ve got to take people off.

“If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager. And I know he’s going to leave at the end of this term. This felt like it’s a manager just going, ‘I’m gonna stay pals with my mate Ronaldo’.”

Thierry Henry was also critical of his ‘seflish’ play. The Frenchman said on Fox: “One thing that’s important, people, please at home, the team needs to score. Not you needs to score…

“Because he wants to score, he goes in the path of the back pass, you see both players, and it’s easier for you to defend. And that’s my thing: the team needs to score. Not you.”

Ronaldo and Portugal return to action on Tuesday, June 23 when they take on Uzbekistan.

Sports

UFC Freedom 250 Medical Suspensions Revealed as Ilia Topuria Faces Several Months Out

Published

37 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

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UFC Freedom 250 will certainly go down not only in the history books of combat sports, but also in the history books of sporting events. The production was as grand and ambitious as you can get, while the stacked fight card also delivered.

Justin Gaethje captured the elusive undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, a journey that couldn’t have had a better highlight with the 38-year-old realising his dream in front of the White House. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane shocked much of the fanbase with an utterly dominant win over Alex Pereira.

Even before the two title fights, there were special moments throughout. Whether it be Sean O’Malley‘s salute KO, Josh Hokit’s rampant victory over Derrick Lewis, or the early finishes that preceded it.

Seven fights, seven finishes, six of them not even reaching the third round. However, with these kinds of performances, it’s no surprise that some of the fighters may have to spend time out with injuries.

UFC Freedom 250 Medical Suspensions

One of the main talking points following the event was the extent of Ilia Topuria‘s damage. The Georgian’s right eye was shut after just the first round, while blood was pouring out of his face throughout.

A vintage Gaethje performance, as he once again left his opponent in a brutal state. However, this isn’t to say he didn’t have to overcome his fair share of adversity.

Ilia Topuria’s Close Friend Provides True Health Update After Brutal UFC Freedom 250 Fight

A lot has been said about Topuria’s health after his war with Justin Gaethje, but a close friend probably knows best, and he’s spoken out.

Topuria was applying plenty of pressure in the second round, teeing off to the body with a series of powerful shots. Despite this, the American weathered the storm and came on strong in the third, with a doctor stoppage almost coming.

In terms of medical suspensions, Topuria received a minimum 180-day lay-off, while needing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon clearance. Meanwhile, Gaethje faces the same duration, after suffering injuries to his right wrist and left knee.

Unlike the main event, Gane versus Pereira was much more one-sided. The Frenchman put on a masterclass that many fans and fighters wouldn’t have expected. He was too light on his feet and quick for Pereira, who was left with no answers.

Despite this, the fight did end in a somewhat controversial fashion. Herb Dean didn’t intervene when Gane was unloading strikes to the back of Pereira’s head; the Brazilian has since took to social media criticising the referee.

UFC Freedom 250 medical suspensions
Fighter	Medical suspension
Justin Gaethje	Suspended 180 days or right wrist and left knee MRIs cleared; also suspended 45 days mandatory rest.
Ilia Topuria	Suspended 180 days or until cleared by oral and maxillofacial surgeon; also suspended 60 days for TKO.
Ciryl Gane	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Alex Pereira	Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Sean O’Malley	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Aiemann Zahabi	Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Josh Hokit	Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Derrick Lewis	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Mauricio Ruffy	Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Michael Chandler	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Bo Nickal	Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Kyle Daukaus	Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Diego Lopes	Suspended 30 days or until left eye cleared by physician.
Steve Garcia	Suspended 180 days or until left hand X-ray cleared; also suspended 60 days mandatory rest for knockout loss.

Pereira is now set to face a minimum 180-day suspension or until a maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative, with an extra 45 days for the TKO finish. In contrast, Gane faces a measly eight-day mandatory rest.

Similarly, O’Malley also came out of the fight unscathed and has just the eight-day suspension. However, his opponent Aiemann Zahabi, like Periera, is suspended for 45 days due to the TKO, with a further 180 days or until the maxillofacial CT scan is cleared as negative.

Sports

Liverpool Stance On Signing Diomande After Munoz Deal Agreed

Published

59 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

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Liverpool are still working on a big-money deal to sign Yan Diomande, even after they complete the signing of Victor Munoz, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Andoni Iraola is the new man in charge at Anfield and will look to strengthen the squad he inherited from the sacked Arne Slot following Liverpool’s poor defence of their Premier League title in 2025/26.

After winning the league in Slot’s first season in charge, the Reds could only finish fifth in the last campaign, just about qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season – the bare minimum for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

First Iraola signing agreed

Osasuna attacker Victor Munoz at Real Madrid

Slot was quickly sacked upon the conclusion of the campaign and replaced by Iraola, who had guided Bournemouth to just one place below the Reds in the table.

It looks like Liveprool’s first signing under the Spaniard will be Munoz, with a deal agreed for the Osasuna winger. Newcastle had looked set to sign the 22-year-old, but it appears that Liverpool have moved quickly to hijack the deal.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday night: “Liverpool are set to sign Víctor Muñoz with hijack done. Newcastle in advanced talks for days but #LFC enter the deal, verbally agree terms with Muñoz and activate €40million release clause.

“All set to be signed and another big surprise.”

Munoz’s signing will not impact Liverpool’s chase to sign Diomande, however, GMS understands.

Liverpool optimistic a £100m deal can be done

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal

Diomande has been the Reds’ number one priority in the summer transfer window for some time, and despite spending £34.6million on Munoz, Liverpool still plan to work on a deal to bring the 19-year-old frontman to the club from RB Leipzig.

According to GMS sources, the Reds are optimistic that a deal can be done to sign Diomande, despite competition from Paris Saint-Germain. It is also not discounted by suitors that a deal for his signature is closed during the World Cup.

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World Cup History Quiz

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Diomande is in action in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup and starred in his debut match at the tournament, picking up the man of the match award in the Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.

He has previously stated that he is a fan of Liverpool and wanted to play at Anfield, later backtracking on those comments by saying it was his dad’s wish for him to play there as his father was a big Liverpool supporter.