Noni Madueke has already had a chance to impress Thomas Tuchel with the winger filling in for an injured Bukayo Saka across the early international breaks. 

He’s injured at the moment, but staked a real claim to be included in Tuchel’s plans for the showpiece event with a goal and an assist across his four games for England under the new boss. I would argue that Madueke was one of the best England players in the games he’s played so far, alongside Elliot Anderson. 

Saka is one of the first names on the team sheet for England, which is probably why Madueke is priced slightly outside the favourites to be called up. That being said, I think Madueke has a slight edge on the other players competing for that secondary role in the squad.

Madueke’s main rival to be in the squad is Jarrod Bowen, who has been overlooked by England in previous campaigns despite posting solid numbers. The fact remains that there is a bias towards players playing at the elite clubs; you only have to look at Jack Grealish’s recent exclusion from the latest camp to see the preference towards more established players. 

Madueke is also useful because he can play on both wings. I think he’s much better on the right, but with Saka such a guarantee to start games if he is fit, Madueke could be utilised on the opposite side. It should also be noted that Saka’s injury record has worsened over recent seasons. He missed 18 games in the Premier League last season through injury and aggravated the same issue in the early periods of this campaign. This could open up another angle for Madueke to make his way into the squad. 

Tuchel has come out in press conferences and said that his favourite trait of Madueke is his work rate. Having watched Chelsea under the tutelage of Tuchel, this is a necessity for attackers if you want to play under him. Madueke’s desire to always take on his man is another massive bonus, which can put him in contention to be in the England squad, as another option in the final third to Saka or on the left wing.

Reece James will certainly go to the World Cup if he is fit, this pricing is likely because of his previous injury issues but Tuchel has already spoken of his admiration of Reece James as England’s starting right back having worked with him at Chelsea.

I’ve been keeping a keen eye on the recovery of Reece James this year following constant injuries and the Chelsea medical team, alongside Enzo Maresca, appear to have found a formula that works for the full back. 

They manage his game time as well as ensuring that his role doesn’t involve constantly bombing up and down the pitch. Instead, his ventures forward are targeted, and he can still produce quality in the final third, as he’s already shown under Tuchel with his goal from a free kick against Latvia.

Tuchel and James also have a really close connection. James was part of the Chelsea side that won the Champions League under his tutelage, with the now England boss revealing that he refers to him as ‘Reecey’, underlining the strength of their personal relationship.

This selection will hinge on the fitness of James throughout the season, but recent months suggest that he is on a more effective plan to manage his body than he has been in previous seasons. James featured in 27 games for Chelsea last season, the most he’s managed since the 2021/22 campaign - and he’s already made 14 appearances this term. 

When it comes to alternatives, I don’t think there’s any chance of Reece James losing his spot in the side if he is fit. Trent Alexander-Arnold has not yet had a chance under Tuchel, and injury may bar him from doing so until just before the World Cup. Tino Livramento is another possible option, but it’s too early for him to line up as England’s starting right back, I can see him being called up in a supporting role, though, as James’ backup.

Thomas Tuchel has a bit of a headache when it comes to the striker position. Harry Kane will lead the line, but outside of the Bayern Munich striker, are there really any elite England #9s? 

You could make a case for Ollie Watkins, but I wouldn’t class him as elite. I can see Delap rivalling the likes of Watkins, Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke for a spot in the squad. 

This isn’t to say that Delap is an elite option, but rather a breath of fresh air for the striker role, which is a bit stale without Kane. Kane is in fantastic form right now, and England do rely on him for goals, but the European Championship last summer highlighted the case for another option at times.

Gareth Southgate took Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Harry Kane to the European Championships last summer in Germany, so there is scope for Tuchel to take a third option alongside Watkins and Kane. 

Southgate made a mistake in my opinion by not utilising Toney more often; variation is always good in an international tournament. Delap is England’s future striker in my view, he’s got all the ingredients to lead the line and could end up being a surprise inclusion with his name not really being discussed, after an injury-hit start to the season.

I think Delap will get at least one opportunity in an England camp before the World Cup, if he is able to stay fit, that will put his foot in the door as a potential option for Tuchel. Delap is the profile of striker that Tuchel likes as well, he’s very physical and a real handful - even if he only features from the bench to cause chaos in the latter stages of matches.

England’s U21 coach, Lee Carsley, said recently in an interview that the national team needs more centre forwards, and more orthodox number nines that are capable of scoring goals. I’d argue that Delap has a real case as one of England’s better striking options with Kane out of the equation. 

It’s also clear that Delap is far too good for U21 international football now, which may tempt Tuchel to promote him to the senior squad. He’s been in the England set up since U17s, so he has come through the ranks well and could earn his chance at his first major international tournament next year. Tuchel may also be more likely to pick him now that he is at Chelsea, with big club bias often coming into play with national team selections. 

Tactically, Delap is also useful for how he disturbs low blocks. This would be particularly useful to England in the group stages of the competition.

The 28-year-old is uncapped, but a nice wildcard addition at 20/1. Injuries could work in our favour with this longshot.

I think England’s weakest area is centre back. Especially now that Levi Colwill is expected to miss out on the World Cup after suffering an ACL injury at the start of the season. Tosin has never featured for England before, at any level, but could get an opportunity to be part of the squad for this tournament when considering injury issues and a general lack of quality at the back.

Marc Guehi and John Stones should be the starting centre backs in my opinion, but banking on Stones being fully fit is quite a risk, seeing as the City centre back has featured in under 30 games in each of the last two seasons. Guehi is a lock for the centre back role, but the other spots are up for grabs.

Not only is Tosin imperious in stature, he’s also more than comfortable on the ball. A good example to highlight just how good he is with the ball at his feet is the fact that Enzo Maresca has identified only Tosin and Colwill who can play in the central centre back role for Chelsea - a role designed to encourage the central centre back to break through lines. Tosin has completed 312 passes across just four Premier League appearances this season (79.5 per 90).

The other centre back options don’t exactly jump off the page, Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah are solid but not spectacular, and I would argue that Tosin can offer a bit more to the squad than those two. Harry Maguire is another option, but you feel as though he’s had his chance in the England squad, and then you have Dan Burn, who is the most similar to Tosin in terms of physicality and stature.

I think Tuchel’s best approach to ensure that the backline isn’t too porous next summer is to bulk up the backline with very physical players. He’s already started doing this by preferring players like Burn.