Not A Star Player, This Is Thomas Tuchel's Requirement To Enter The England Squad

There are two conditions for manager Thomas Tuchel when choosing players to strengthen the England national team. (X/@England)

JAKARTA - England manager Thomas Tuchel doesn't care about the status of a star player. If they don't meet the proposed requirements, Tuchel will write off the player from the England squad. They won't even be taken to the 2026 World Cup if England qualify for the finals.

Tuchel's decision to write off Real Madrid midfielders Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, who are the pillars of Manchester City, still leaves questions.

The fitness condition of the players that Tuchel put forward. In addition, he did choose to keep those who brought England to victory in the last two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but the German manager's answer remained unsatisfactory.

It's just that the real consideration of player fitness is still acceptable. Bellingham has just undergone shoulder surgery.

Despite his recovery, he has only been played as a starter from Madrid's last five matches. Once entered the starting line up against Atletico Madrid in the La Liga Spanish competition, Madrid lost 5-2.

The data and statistics shown by Tuchel are clearly indisputable and Bellingham is currently not eligible for the Three Lions squad.

Likewise, Foden has not shown maximum performance even though he has played in Man City. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish is considered to have decreased and has not been called up by the national team for a long time.

Apart from no top-flight player, Tuchel lost captain Harry Kane who had not recovered from injury. Other players who have already missed include Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Noni Madueke.

Despite losing some of the pillar players, England still showed their maximum performance as they rolled Wales 3-0 in a test match.

Victory in the Battle of Britain became an important capital for England to face Latvia in the World Cup qualifying Group K match, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 in the morning WIB.

"For now, those who qualify for the training camp," said Tuchel.

The match continues and they deserve to be called. I also fully believe that those who played against Serbia and Andorra deserved to rejoin the training camp. We only focus on the players here," he said again.

Tuchel said the national team is open to all players. When called, they also have the same opportunity to play.

The door is always open to anyone who plays. When facing Wales, we fielded four different players from the previous match against Serbia. We were forced to make that change," said Tuchel.

"And those who start have the same energy. I'm glad they can prove it by getting the three points," he said.

The former Bayern Munich coach, further mentioned the conditions for players who will enter the England national team. Especially those who competed in the finals if the UK qualified for the United States, Canada and Mexico. Tuchel also did not close the door for Bellingham and Foden.

The nomination of players [who enter the national team] is always open. The door is open to players who have the best quality and character. Currently we are still in October. So we are footing after footing. At the next training camp, of course there will be nominations for players again," he said again.

Meanwhile, midfielder Declan Rice hopes Bellingham, Foden and Palmer can join the national team on the call for the next player.

"We are, at the moment, not a real team. They also deserve to be included in the national team. So, they will not be ignored. Their achievements in the national team are also very impressive," Rice said.

England is currently at the top of Group K standings with 15 points. A seven-point lead from Albania who is in second place. The next match against Latvia is decisive for England.

If they win and Albania draw against Serbia, then England will make sure to qualify for the finals despite two more matches.

Kane is expected to have recovered from an ankle injury and can appear against Latvia. In addition, striker total Watkins could appear because he suffered an injury in the match against Wales.