England's World Cup Squad: Who Will Impress Tuchel Against Uruguay?

As England prepares to face Uruguay, several players will have the opportunity to make a lasting impression on Thomas Tuchel and secure a spot in the World Cup squad. With many established players resting, the door is open for others to showcase their skills. The match against Uruguay will be Tuchel's final chance to assess his options before the tournament in June. Goalkeepers Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, and Jason Steele, along with defenders Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Ben White, Djed Spence, John Stones, and Fikayo Tomori, will be looking to make their mark. Midfielders Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, and Adam Wharton, as well as forwards Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harvey Barnes, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, and Dominic Solanke, will also be vying for a place in the squad. Harry Maguire's recent resurgence under Michael Carrick has earned him his first call-up in 18 months. Maguire's chances of making the squad for a fourth major tournament appeared remote just a couple of months ago, but his form has put him in a strong position as an experienced option alongside Guehi and Konsa. John Stones provides another experienced option at centre-back, but his fitness remains a concern. Tuchel may pair Maguire and Stones together against Uruguay for the first time since England's friendly defeat to Brazil in March 2024. The Uruguay game may present a chance for Maguire and his old England centre-back partner to show they still have value. Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice are likely to go to the tournament as starters, but Tuchel can use the Uruguay game to look at other midfield options, including Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner. Mainoo has 10 England caps but none under Tuchel, while Garner received glowing praise from Tuchel after his call-up. Phil Foden will be looking to hit the target against Uruguay and improve his international record. The 25-year-old has a curiously underwhelming international record, having only scored four times in 47 appearances. England have enviable depth in the position, but with Eberechi Eze injured, Morgan Rogers rested, and Jude Bellingham still building up his fitness, the Uruguay game could be key to Foden's hopes of forcing his way back to the forefront of his manager's thinking. Ollie Watkins impressed as England's alternative to Harry Kane at Euro 2024, but his omission from Tuchel's squad has opened the door to others. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not played for England since 2021, but his rejuvenation at Leeds this season has thrust him back into contention. The 29-year-old has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League games for Daniel Farke's side and has avoided any notable fitness setbacks. Tuchel also has the option of fielding Marcus Rashford centrally against Uruguay, but Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke are the ones with something to prove before Kane's expected return against Japan.