England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his latest squad, and several high-profile players have been left out, sparking debate among supporters and pundits alike.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the most discussed absentees, with the Real Madrid man continuing to divide opinion regarding his best position at international level.
His move to Spain raised questions about his role within the England setup, and competition for places in midfield and at right back has made his inclusion far from guaranteed.
Harry Maguire is another experienced figure missing from the squad, with the Manchester United defender struggling to nail down consistent club form throughout the season.
At international level, Tuchel has shown a willingness to look at fresh defensive options, meaning established names like Maguire cannot always count on automatic selection.
Cole Palmer has also been absent from the squad, which will surprise many given his impressive performances for Chelsea over the past couple of seasons.
Palmer burst onto the international scene and quickly became a fan favourite, but squad rotation and tactical decisions have seen him drop out of the current selection.
Phil Foden is another notable omission, with the Manchester City playmaker having endured a difficult run of form that appears to have influenced Tuchel’s thinking.
Foden was once considered an almost certain starter for England, but inconsistency at club level has made his place in the squad harder to hold onto this term.
Tuchel has made clear since taking charge that he values current form and tactical fit above reputation, meaning no player can consider their England place secure regardless of past contributions.
The absences of such recognisable names highlight just how competitive the England squad has become, with a large pool of talented players all pushing for limited spots.
Supporters will be watching closely to see whether Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Palmer, and Foden can force their way back into contention before the next major tournament.
