Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea manager, has never been one to back down from his beliefs. However, the decision to exclude Harry Maguire from the England World Cup squad and the inclusion of Ivan Toney have left many questioning the logic behind these choices, writes IAN LADYMAN. The announcement came as a surprise on a Tuesday morning, leaving fans and pundits alike speculating on the reasoning behind the selections.

Background: Harry Maguire, the Manchester United defender, was left out of Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, despite being a key player in the national team for several years. On the other hand, Ivan Toney, a Norwich City forward, was included despite having fewer international caps. These decisions have sparked debate among football analysts and fans, with some arguing that Tuchel’s influence on these choices cannot be ignored.

Background

What This Means: The exclusion of Maguire and the inclusion of Toney indicate a shift in England’s selection criteria or a preference for Tuchel's preferred style of play. This move could have significant implications for England’s performance in the World Cup, as Maguire has been a consistent performer at the back. The decision also highlights the importance of player-manager relationships and how they can influence national team selections.

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