Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his England squad for the next set of international fixtures on Friday.
In the last international break, England won three of their four games, losing 3-2 to Spain in a tightly contested game, before beating Czech Republic twice, sandwiching their 7-0 victory over Croatia.
After four games in the Nations League A, Group 3, England sit 2nd in the group, three points behind Spain who have won all four of their games.
England are set to face Croatia and Spain in their last two games of the Group phase, with a victory against Croatia set to be enough to confirm their spot in the quarterfinals of the competition, taking place in March 2027.
But how seriously will Tuchel take both games? Will he use these games against top opposition to test his side, or will he give chances to those on the outskirts of the squad?
In this article, we’ll cover
Defensive options
Starting with potential defensive options, both Trevoh Chalobah and John Stones are set to miss out with injuries, potentially leaving space for a new addition in the squad.
The most popular option to take that spot would be Levi Colwill, a natural left-footed centre-back who could bring excellent ball-playing ability to the side, while also adding some top defensive qualities, with the 21-year-old averaging 3.08 aerial duels won per 90 minutes this season, contesting 4.49 on average per 90.
Colwill is also making 5.26 clearances per 90 and 0.64 blocks per 90, having started eight of Chelsea‘s nine Premier League games this season, after missing almost the entirety of last season with an ACL injury, which saw him miss out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad.
Another interesting option could be Colwill’s Chelsea teammate, Josh Acheampong, who has been in stellar form under Xabi Alonso this season, starting six of Chelsea’s nine league games so far in a right-back/right centre-back hybrid role.
Of course, we also have to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was called up in the previous camp and impressed in his two performances, providing a lovely assist for Anthony Gordon against Czech Republic.
The Real Madrid star hasn’t been a guaranteed starter under Jose Mourinho this season, only starting four of their 11 league games and one of their four Champions League games.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s creative qualities are clear to see, even in the data, providing 0.25 assists per 90, creating 2.53 chances per 90 and attempting 8.09 crosses per 90, with 2.28 of them being successful. After being part of the last squad, the 28-year-old could get another chance to prove himself to Tuchel.
Midfield options
Tuchel has a clear favourite pairing in midfield, with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson starting every game in the World Cup bar one, as Rice was rested against Panama in the final group-stage match.
But with Rice withdrawing from the squad in the September/October international break, it was Myles Lewis-Skelly who started three of the four games alongside Anderson in midfield, with Alex Scott starting against Croatia, sustaining an injury which will keep him out until January.
So with Scott not in the picture for another England call up this month, who could be in line to replace him and get a chance in the squad?
Kobbie Mainoo was called up for the squad back in September, but had to withdraw due to injury, which saw James Garner take the Manchester United mans spot. Mainoo has only just returned from injury, so could miss out on this months squad.
Adam Wharton is an interesting one, as the 22-year-old has struggled to find himself in Tuchel’s plans, only playing three times since the German took charge. Despite being the most creative of England’s deep-lying midfield options, averaging 0.34 through balls per 90, his physicality and mobility seems to be the main sticking point.
Perhaps the most likely option, but still a bit of a wildcard, would be Archie Gray. The 20-year-old has been looking good for Tottenham this season, learning under Roberto De Zerbi. Tuchel may find it in appealing option due to his versatility, playing as a right-back on a number of occasions for Spurs this season, giving Tuchel options and depth in multiple areas, while bleeding a young talent into the senior set-up.
Attacking midfielders
In attacking midfield, the obvious first name on the team sheet is Jude Bellingham, who has scored in his last two games for Real Madrid.
Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers are the next two options Tuchel has been opting for, whether that be as attacking midfielders or makeshift wide men.
But it will be Rogers’ Chelsea teammate, Cole Palmer, who is the most interesting attacking midfielder to keep an eye out for when the squad is released on Friday, after withdrawing from the squad in the September/October break, with Tuchel having some choice words about his injury issues.
Palmer is averaging more assists than Bellingham in the league this season with 0.34 per 90, while also taking more shots per 90 (2.39).
Other interesting options would be both Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Everton and Josh King from Fulham, who are both having good seasons for their respective clubs.
Dewsbury-Hall is creating the most chances of all the options analysed here with 2.35 per 90, also getting the most crosses into the box. Meanwhile, King excels in getting himself inside the box, averaging the most touches inside the opposition box with 6.92 per 90.
With King being just 19-years-old, it could be the perfect opportunity to begin bleeding him into the squad, with many expecting the youngster to have a bright future ahead of him, with England caps on the horizon.
Will Lankshear chance?
The striker position is an interesting one for England. Not just because they now have a Ballon d’Or winner playing there, but because many are still unsure on who should play there when Harry Kane is absent.
Players such as Gordon and Bellingham who are already considered starters in other positions are options for the role, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin was also involved in Tuchel’s most recent squad.
Which raises the question, could Will Lankshear have a chance to lead the line for England?
The 21-year-old came through at Tottenham, much like England’s all-time leading goalscorer, with the Tottenham to England number nine route being well-trodden in the past.
Lankshear has netted 13 goals in the Championship for Middlesbrough this season, scoring 1.12 goals per 90, taking 2.92 shots per 90, getting 2.15 of those shots on target and having a 27.02% conversion rate.
His shooting accuracy and conversion rate speaks to the type of player Lankshear is, more of a poacher, doing his best work around the box, earning his service and scoring goals.
Whether or not his chance will come just yet remains to be seen, but with a lack of top tier number nines breaking through to challenge Kane for his spot, Lankshear could be a different type of option for Tuchel to test out.