Tuchel's defensive choices under scrutiny

By Ama Serwah — 16 June 2026 — 4 min read

Tuchel’s defensive choices under scrutiny

England head coach Thomas Tuchel‘s defensive selections for the World Cup 2026 have drawn attention, particularly following the injury sustained by Tino Livramento. Livramento, a Newcastle full-back, was ruled out of the squad after suffering a calf injury during training ahead of the opening group match against Croatia in Dallas. His replacement is Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.

The initial defensive picks by Tuchel were already considered high-risk due to previous injury concerns surrounding likely starters Reece James and John Stones. Livramento’s departure has intensified this scrutiny. Chalobah’s inclusion, a central defender by trade, has reignited discussions about Tuchel’s apparent reluctance to recall Trent Alexander-Arnold to the England squad.

Livramento’s injury history, including a thigh problem that sidelined him for much of the end of last season and previous hamstring issues, was known. England now has three natural full-backs: James, Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly. Other players like Newcastle’s Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, and Ezri Konsa can play wide positions, but deploying them in unfamiliar roles against high-calibre forwards in a World Cup could be a concern.

Tuchel’s predecessor faced similar challenges, highlighting that major tournaments are not ideal for such adjustments. Chalobah’s call-up, which aligns with Tuchel’s preference for tall, physical defenders, suggests that Konsa might be favoured over Marc Guehi for the match against Croatia. Chalobah has only one senior England cap, earned in a 3-1 defeat to Senegal a year ago, making his selection a significant vote of confidence from Tuchel in the 26-year-old.

Reece James and John Stones in action for England — Image caption,Reece James and John Stones are high-class defenders who will start for England – but have both had injury problems Credit: bbc.co.uk

Alexander-Arnold’s continued exclusion

Tuchel’s decision to bring in a central defender like Chalobah instead of a natural full-back replacement further indicates that Alexander-Arnold remains outside the national team picture. Alexander-Arnold’s exclusion from England’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia last August seemed to confirm his standing with the coach. Previously, Tuchel had even selected Alexander-Arnold’s former Liverpool teammate, central midfielder Curtis Jones, at right-back against Andorra in June.

Tuchel has openly expressed his concerns regarding Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities. He has emphasized the importance of defensive seriousness in qualifying and tournament football, stating that a single defensive error can be decisive. This focus on defensive solidity appears to be a key factor in Alexander-Arnold’s continued omission.

Alexander-Arnold was also not included in Tuchel’s 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March. Instead, Tuchel opted for Arsenal’s Ben White, who had been in self-imposed England exile since the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and had not been a regular at club level. While Alexander-Arnold was part of Tuchel’s provisional 55-man World Cup squad, this was not seen as a strong endorsement.

This contrasts with the trust placed in Alexander-Arnold by Lee Carsley, England’s Under-21 coach who served as interim manager between Southgate’s departure and Tuchel’s appointment. Carsley even deployed Alexander-Arnold at left-back in a 3-1 Nations League victory against Finland in October 2024, where he delivered a notable performance. Alexander-Arnold started four out of six games under Carsley, but none of Tuchel’s 14, suggesting a clear difference in coaching preferences.

Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah in Premier League action — Image caption,Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to replace Tino Livramento Credit: bbc.co.uk

Tuchel’s pragmatic World Cup strategy

When Tuchel announced his 26-player World Cup squad, he clearly articulated his selection philosophy. He stated that the goal is to select and build the best possible team, not necessarily the 26 most talented players, emphasizing that teams win championships. This approach echoes Sir Alf Ramsey’s mission statement before England’s 1966 World Cup victory.

Tuchel has assembled a talented yet pragmatic squad, which he believes is physically prepared for the tournament. This strategy led to the exclusion of players like Manchester United defender Luke Shaw and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall. Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly’s strong form came too late to alter Tuchel’s decisions.

Manchester United veteran Harry Maguire revealed his exclusion before the official squad announcement, expressing his disappointment. Tuchel had previously indicated in March that Maguire was his fifth choice central defender. Chalobah’s call-up is attributed to his strong physical and aerial presence, which aligns with Tuchel’s defensive preferences. This also helps explain why Aston Villa’s Konsa is expected to start over Manchester City’s Guehi against Croatia, and the inclusion of the 6ft 7in Burn.

Burn, a 34-year-old, is unlikely to be a starter, but his physical attributes could be valuable in aerial duels and set-pieces, which are a significant part of Tuchel’s strategy. The gruelling conditions expected in the USA, including a potential match against co-hosts Mexico at altitude in Mexico City in the last 16, underscore Tuchel’s focus on physical readiness for the tournament.