The Albany Gazette - Tuchel faces World Cup selection dilemmas after England falter

The England boss named a 35-man group for Wembley fixtures against Uruguay and Japan and took the unusual step of splitting his players into two training camps.

Friday's 1-1 draw against Uruguay featured a largely second-string side, who failed to mount a strong case for inclusion in the World Cup squad.

Tuchel had hoped to bring in a clutch of first-choice players on Tuesday but had to tear up his plans due to a spate of withdrawals.

Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka dropped out along with Manchester City defender John Stones while Harry Kane was watching the stands, nursing a minor injury, and Jude Bellingham was left on the bench.

The Euro 2024 runners-up dominated possession against Japan but lacked incision, spark and fluidity in their final game before Tuchel names his World Cup squad.

The match was decided by Kaoru Mitoma's fine first-half goal which gave Japan a first win against England.

A disappointed Tuchel pleaded mitigating factors, underlining the demands of club football as the season nears its climax.

"We knew that we had a tough exam to play for in this window because our players are heavily invested in club football, they're heavily invested in European football and in the physically toughest league that there is," he said.

"We played against two top-20 teams, well-drilled, very good opponents, who arrived in the best line-up.

"We had seven, eight injuries who had to leave camp. It's not an excuse, it's just an explanation why things are not perfectly smooth and maybe perfectly on the highest level that we expect."

- Kane irreplaceable -

England are one of the favourites as they attempt to win a first World Cup since 1966 and on paper Tuchel has a side equipped to go all the way.

But there remain major questions over key positions eight weeks before the German names his World Cup squad.

Harry Kane, who has scored 48 goals in 40 matches during a stellar season for Bayern Munich, appears irreplaceable.

Tuchel, who fielded forwards Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the two friendlies, admitted his captain was unique.

"Bayern Munich in the absence of Harry Kane has not the same threat," he said.

"No team in the world has the same threat. It's just normal."

Real Madrid's attacking midfielder Bellingham was arguably one of those who enhanced his reputation without kicking a ball across the two matches.

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, touted as Bellingham's rival for the number 10 role, showed occasional glimpses of his talent against Japan.

But Phil Foden and Cole Palmer did not offer enough over the two games in attack to suggest they are any nearer to nailing down a starting spot in the United States.

Rice was missed but Elliot Anderson probably did enough to show that he is a worthy partner for the Arsenal man in midfield.

In central defence, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa had some rocky moments against Japan, though they could be starters against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, while the left-back slot still appears up for grabs.

A bullish Tuchel said he now has "more clarity" over his squad despite the disappointing results, but admitted he would be watching nervously over the next few weeks.

"It will be scary to watch TV on the weekend because from now on every muscle injury can mean that a player misses out," he said.

"This camp will not define us and we have two months to digest it, to take the learnings, to nominate our squads, to get the players back healthy," he said.

"Hopefully they stay healthy, we have the full choice and then we will pursue our dream from June."

(K.Jones--TAG)