Thomas Tuchel has reportedly left fringe members of his England squad feeling they need summer transfers to nail down a spot at next year's World Cup.
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Tuchel ready to make big selection callsGrealish under the microscope amid a dismal campaignBranthwaite and Ramsey could look for new opportunitiesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The German kicked off his tenure with back-to-back victories at Wembley, securing a 2-0 win against Albania before defeating Latvia 3-0 in their opening World Cup qualifiers. After making a successful start, Tuchel has sent a strong message to several players, making it clear that their World Cup aspirations could be in jeopardy unless they secure more playing time at the club level, as reported by A total of six players – four who were initially left out of the squad and two who were included – are now said to be exploring potential transfers in order to strengthen their chances of making the final squad for the global showpiece.
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One of the biggest names facing an uncertain future is Jack Grealish, who has struggled to establish himself at Manchester City this season. He has been a peripheral figure at the Etihad, managing just six Premier League starts. After being dropped by Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024, he remains on shaky ground under Tuchel as well. Reports suggest that the England boss has urged Grealish to take more responsibility off the pitch if he hopes to regain a key role in the national team setup.
Meanwhile, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is another player assessing his options. The young centre-back has been in impressive form for the Toffees but was overlooked in favour of Newcastle’s 32-year-old Dan Burn, who earned his first England call-up. Branthwaite is reportedly considering whether a move to a more prominent club could boost his international prospects.
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Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa is another talented player who narrowly missed out on Tuchel’s squad. Although he remains a fan favourite at Villa Park, he has struggled to secure consistent playing time under Unai Emery. With competition for places in England’s midfield heating up, Ramsey may be tempted by a move that guarantees him regular starts.
Similarly, Morgan Gibbs-White has been performing well for Nottingham Forest but was still left out of England’s initial squad selection. He eventually received a late call-up following Cole Palmer’s injury but did not feature in either match. He is now believed to be considering a switch to a more established club to improve his chances of making the final squad for the World Cup.
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Two players who did make the recent squad but are still contemplating transfers are Marcus Rashford and Aaron Ramsdale. Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, finds himself in an uncertain position. Despite showing flashes of form, he does not appear to have a future at Old Trafford, and his long-term place at Villa remains unconfirmed. With his England spot far from secure, Rashford may seek another club where he can be guaranteed a starting role.
As for Ramsdale, the goalkeeper is facing an almost certain departure from Southampton, whose relegation to the Championship is nearly sealed. With Tuchel likely to prioritise goalkeepers playing in the Premier League, Ramsdale is expected to push for a move to ensure he remains in contention for one of the three goalkeeper spots in the World Cup squad.