THOMAS PLAYS PERCENTAGES

THREE LIONS boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted England stars face a huge battle after Premier League figures hit an all-time low.

- BY JOHN CROSS

Just 24.3 per cent of starters in the English top flight are eligible to play for England, which is a worrying trend for the national team.

The percentage has been between 30 and 33 per cent in the past few years and was often raised by former boss Gareth Southgate as a concern.

It has dropped to a record low this season with more foreign stars, big-name signings from overseas and fewer homegrown players graduating from academies into their clubs' first-teams.