Bukayo Saka should not start any match for Arsenal until he is 100% fit. Madueke and Dowman are more than good enough to start next season.
We keep going in this cycle of Saka coming back before being fully fit, playing inconsistently, gets hammered, then gets injured. Cycle repeats.
This has to stop. It's clearly hampering his performances. Just allow him to fully rest for God's sake.
Let’s go through all the inclusions for England’s World Cup squad to understand Tuchel’s decision making:
Kane: obvious pick
Toney: set piece & penalty threat, provides all round play if Kane gets injured
Watkins: useful for if you need to sit back & counter or just to provide a different option in open play
Rashford, Gordon & Madueke: runners, these option are VITAL to maximise Kane who can’t run in behind but likes to drop deep to make space for others, they aren’t better individuals than those left out, but these guys were the most missed profiles in the Euros, can play inside or outside
Saka: obvious pick
Bellingham: obvious pick but also likes to ghost in behind at times, also a lot of pressing work, Kane needs energy around him
Rogers & Eze: both can play as 10’s & rotate out wide when needed, good in tight spaces & provide long shot threat which could cause teams to press higher making space for others, could’ve argued Gibbs-White here but Palmer & Foden haven’t done enough defensively + in Palmer’s case his passing isn’t as valuable with Kane’s passing range
Rice: obvious pick
Mainoo: if played with Rice then the latter can cover for him defensively, but he can press higher as an 8, Tuchel wants no defensive weak links as one bad moment in a cup & you’re out
Anderson: dictates the tempo from deep, needed with Rice who is better at carrying
Henderson: leadership, I doubt he plays many minutes but is just there to get the players motivated and focused behind the scenes
James: obvious pick
Livramento: chosen over Trent for better defensive work & better press resistance, I can definitely hear the argument for picking Trent though because although James could get injured/play in midfield, Spence can cover both fullback roles & then just bring Trent on if you need a goal
Spence: covers both fullback roles
O’Reilly: can rotate with the centre mid & left winger, adds height to set pieces
Guehi: I think Tuchel wants a left footer here (Guehi is right footed BUT EXTREMELY two footed) Branthwaite’s out, Colwill would be perfect here & there’s an argument he should be here but I guess Tuchel’s worried about the fact he’s only just returned from injury
Burn: left footed & adds set piece threat if England need a goal, could make an argument for Maguire here though
Konsa & Quansah: wide channel defenders, not Maguire’s strong suit
Stones: can play centre back, 6, & arguably right back, excellent ball playing ability, again could argue Maguire here though, the biggest issue with Tuchel’s current selection is the lack of aerial threat at centre back, I guess Tuchel’s counter argument would be his diamond zonal press means they usually have a +1 at the back anyway so even if they can’t win the first ball they’ll aim to win the second
Goalkeepers are obvious picks
I can hear the arguments for Maguire, Colwill (depending on how physically ready he is) & Trent (not to start but as a game changing sub) but i think the overall idea of what Tuchel’s going for is much better than Southgate’s
Interesting to hear that the Police think over 1m will likely to be lining the parade route. Expecting a lot of people will be getting to command thier space early morning, If you do plan to attend, then bring water/food as shops will be rammed and will sell out early.
I have no clue what the best space will be, i wont be there as will be coming back from Budapest.
Hopefully will be more than one shiny object at the front of the bus!
Interesting to hear that the Police think over 1m will likely to be lining the parade route. Expecting a lot of people will be getting to command thier space early morning, If you do plan to attend, then bring water/food as shops will be rammed and will sell out early.
I have no clue what the best space will be, i wont be there as will be coming back from Budapest.
Hopefully will be more than one shiny object at the front of the bus!