UMVA has learned that a stunning shake-up has occurred in the England squad, with several high-profile players surprisingly left behind.
Cole Palmer, the Chelsea star, was the most shocking omission of all, and it would have been unthinkable a year ago that he wouldn't be part of the squad. Instead, Tuchel has opted for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, and Eberechi Eze in the No10 role, while Noni Madueke has been preferred as Bukayo Saka's understudy on the right wing.
Tuchel explained his decision to leave Palmer behind, citing a lack of individual form within his club. He revealed that Palmer "was not as decisive or as influential as he was in the last seasons, throughout the whole season" and that his record with the team "was just not outstanding, not good enough to make him 'no matter what, he is coming'".
Palmer's omission was not the only surprise, as Harry Maguire, who had enjoyed a strong season at Manchester United, was also left out. Maguire took to social media to voice his displeasure, stating that he was "confident I could of played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had".
Maguire's family added to the noise around his snub, with his wife posting that she was "beyond devastated" and his mother insisting she was "absolutely disgusted" with the decision. Tuchel responded to Maguire's public comments, saying that he was "a bit surprised, but I respect his personality a lot" and that he could see the reason behind Maguire's disappointment.
Phil Foden, who had a drop-off in form for Manchester City in the second half of last season, was another notable omission. Tuchel revealed that Foden's absence from the final squad "barely registered amongst many" and that his recent form was not good enough to make the cut.
Tuchel had a tough time explaining the decisions to the players, particularly Foden, who he said was "excellent in camp" but ultimately lost momentum in a crucial moment of the season. The omissions are sure to spark debate among fans and pundits alike.
