Thomas Tuchel has made changes to England’s squad ahead of the friendly with Japan. (Image: Getty)
Thomas Tuchel has named a revised 27-man England squad ahead of Tuesday night’s international friendly against Japan at Wembley stadium. Eight players will leave the camp following the 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday night.
Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, John Stones, Adam Wharton, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will all depart the squad. The latter two stars had only linked up with the Three Lions on Friday, along with nine other players.
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The three Arsenal players will return to their club for medical assessments, with Madueke picking up a knock in the draw with Marcelo Bielsa’s side, while Rice and Saka will play no part in Tuesday’s friendly. Crystal Palace star Wharton also picked up a knock in the draw on Tuesday night, and will return to Crystal Palace.
A statement from England read: “A revised England squad of 27 players are preparing for Tuesday’s fixture with Japan at Wembley Stadium. In total, eight players are due to leave camp, including Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“John Stones is returning to Manchester City for assessment after picking up an issue in training prior to Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke have gone back to their clubs with knocks picked up during the match.
“Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will also return to Arsenal for medical assessment, having arrived on Friday along with nine other players. The rest of that group comprised of Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane.”
Noni Madueke left Wembley with his leg in a brace on Friday night. (Image: Getty)
Tuchel has several injury problems to contend with at present, but has some time until he has to name his travelling squad for England’s World Cup venture in the United States this summer. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is one of those hoping to book his spot on the plane, but the German head coach appeared to deal a blow to his hopes of competing at another World Cup.
“I got exactly what I thought, solid, solid central defender play,” Tuchel said. “That’s what he does. Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and in the weapon for set-pieces. I haven’t changed my mind but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile.
“I see Ezri Konsa ahead, I see Marc Guehi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevor Chalobah on the level of mobility was slightly ahead of him. Also John Stones, but he had injuries, so he needed to come to camp. I needed to meet him in person to see how he acts within the group. It will be interesting now to see how he acts within the group. He will stay with us.
“Like I said, he has an asset, of course, that he can also be super important in a tournament, in knockout football, in defending a lead and chasing a game with crosses and long throw-ins and set-pieces.”
When asked if Maguire would be in the squad if the England boss had to name his squad tomorrow, Tuchel replied: “If, if, if. We don’t need to name the squad tomorrow. He did a good game.
“He did what he does for Man United. He did it straight away. I’m very happy with him. To be honest, I haven’t changed my mind. I got everything I expected from him.
“If I have to name it tomorrow, we have a lot of injuries, he could be in it. Who else would be there in the centre of defence?”