Thomas Tuchel Forced into England Reshuffle Following Konsa Injury and Guehi Withdrawal
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
UEFA Nations League: Double Blow Rocks Tuchel’s Tactics Ahead of Croatia Clash
With just two days before their blockbuster UEFA Nations League clash against Croatia at Wembley Stadium, England have been dealt a double injury blow, leaving Thomas Tuchel with a major selection headache in defence. Check out our Nations League predictions for all of England’s team news.
Marc Guehi was the first player to be ruled out of the Three Lions squad for Thursday’s clash. The 26-year-old was forced off at half-time in Manchester City’s shock defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, and has not recovered in time to feature for the team.
Newcastle United’s Dan Burn has been called up as a replacement for Guehi. The towering centre-back was a prominent figure in Tuchel’s World Cup team but was omitted from the national squad in the last two selections, with the Magpies struggling to find their best form this season.
On Tuesday morning, the English FA confirmed that Ezri Konsa will also miss Thursday’s fixture. The Arsenal centre-back picked up a knock against Slavia Prague in the Champions League and has been restricted to individual training since joining the national team. The English FA said:
"Ezri Konsa will not be in contention for Croatia at Wembley on Thursday as he continues to follow his own programme but will return to full training later this week before Sunday’s trip to Spain.”
While Konsa has not been ruled out from England’s group-stage finale against Spain, Tuchel has opted to hand a maiden senior call-up to Bournemouth’s James Hill, who has played every minute for the Cherries in the Premier League this season.
Hill represented England at U20 and U21 levels and is now the fourth uncapped player included in the Three Lions squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures, joining Fulham’s Josh King, Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, and Brighton shot-stopper Jason Steele.
Lewis-Skelly Suspended and Big Calls For Tuchel to Make in Goal
Another player who Tuchel will be unable to call on at Wembley is Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Arsenal man featured in all four of the Three Lions’ matches in September and October, which helped ease the impact of losing club teammate Declan Rice in midfield.
However, the versatile 20-year-old picked up two yellow cards, both against the Czech Republic, which has triggered a one-match ban this week, though he has been included in the squad for this month and will be eligible to return for the team’s final game against Spain.
Despite Lewis-Skelly’s absence, Tuchel is well-stocked in midfield, with Rice now back in the team and ready to partner Elliot Anderson in the engine room. James Garner, Jobe and Jude Bellingham, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also able to operate in deeper central areas if needed.
Beyond the defensive and midfield reshuffles, Tuchel will also have to make a big call between the sticks. While Jordan Pickford remains the first-choice, James Trafford’s form this season has intensified the competition for the starting gloves. Speaking to the media, Tuchel said:
"No, he is . But nothing has changed. The competition is on there as well. And Traff gets regular starts now, that's what we wanted. James Trafford did well. They shared the matches last time. I'm not sure what we will do. There's an opportunity that we maybe do this again.
"What happens if Jordan Pickford is injured? What happens if he's not available? So it's better to test it."
Pickford has a save percentage of 73.7% in the Premier League this season, while no keeper in the division beats Trafford’s 82.2%. The Leeds United shot-stopper also beats Pickford for times acted as a sweeper (19 to 10) and accurate long balls (80 to 67).
