Only five England players are guaranteed their place at the 2026 World Cup.
That’s the verdict of former Three Lions striker, and talkSPORT host, Gabby Agbonlahor with Thomas Tuchel’s team selection coming under the microscope.
Tuchel has some big calls to make for the World CupAFPEngland were booed off in their final international of the 2024/25 season when they were beaten 3-1 by Senegal – the first time they’ve ever lost to an African nation.
It has been a lacklustre showing from Tuchel’s side in the last two internationals and has plenty of people worried for the World Cup next summer.
Everyone will have an opinion of who should be on the plane to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and questions have already been asked.
The selection of Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker in the latest round of internationals has ruffled some feathers.
talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara argued that veterans Henderson (34) and Walker (35) should be nowhere near the Three Lions squad.
“I saw tonight with some old heads who really, truthfully, haven’t got the legs anymore,” O’Hara said.
However, Tuchel explained to talkSPORT about why Henderson won’t be dropped from his England squad.
If England want to compete with the best in the world right now, like France, Spain, and Argentina, then some serious questions need to be asked.
Agbonlahor believes there are only five people right now who are deserving of a guaranteed place, while the remaining places in the squad are up for grabs.
He told talkSPORT: “Thomas Tuchel has a lot of decisions to make. He’s not got a lot of time. There’s five qualifiers, one friendly, and then maybe two or three warm up games before the World Cup.
Tuchel has insisted that Henderson remains a vital player for England going forwardGetty“Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker have been outstanding players for their clubs and for their country, but we don’t need them as experience.
“We’ve got Jordan Pickford on 66 caps, Declan Rice on 65 caps, Jude Bellingham on 43, Bukayo Saka on 44, and Harry Kane on 106.
“My five that are guaranteed for the World Cup are Pickford, Rice, Bellingham, Saka and Kane.
“They’re the ones for me with the experience that they’ve got. Other players I feel are close, but next season they have to produce.”
talkSPORT host Adrian Durham, who slated the England team in his player ratings after the Senegal defeat, added three players to that list.
He said: “I’ve got Marc Guehi and Tuchel loves Ezri Konsa. He’s always put Konsa in apart from last night.
Agbonlahor thinks there are only five guarantees for the World Cup“I’ve put Cole Palmer in there as well because I think he’s just a talent that you can’t ignore.
“But I can see why you’re saying that. So there’s lots of places up for grabs which means they should all be playing better.”
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 and Tuchel has the next 12 months to decide who is going to be on the plane with him to the tournament.
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