Reputation counts for nothing with Thomas Tuchel! Winners and losers as England boss leaves game-changers Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of World Cup squad while Ivan Toney receives shock call-up

From the moment he walked through the door as the new England manager, Tuchel has made it abundantly clear that he was more than willing to make unpopular choices if they led him to building a team in his own vision that he believes is capable of winning a World Cup – but has he gone too far this time?

With hindsight, Tuchel could become the biggest winner of this squad selection, but if England’s campaign is a failure – which, in reality, means anything less than reaching the semi-finals – then fans and pundits alike will look back on the confirmation of the 26-man group as the moment that things started to go wrong.

In his defence, the core of key players that form the strongest starting XI is there, but there are huge concerns over the lack of depth beyond that in the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Palmer, Alexander-Arnold, Gibbs-White, Wharton and Maguire – all of whom would have had the potential to make a significant impact off the bench. The likes of Jordan Henderson, Spence, and Noni Madueke simply do not inspire as much confidence.

This squad does, at least, avoid the distraction of the fierce debates that have raged around the camp in previous tournaments. The strongest starting line-up is clear – bar the No.10 role where Bellingham and Rogers may well job-share. Tuchel referenced “clarity” upon confirming his squad, and his selections mean there will be no clamour for Palmer to start, no calls for Foden to be dropped and no questions over where Alexander-Arnold is playing – which could ultimately be invaluable.

However, the only certainty right now is that this squad selection is likely to define Tuchel’s tenure.