TUCHEL THROWS DOWN A WORLD CUP GAUNTLET TO BIG NAMES ON SIDELINES

THOMAS TUCHEL has warned the “competition is on” for places in England's World Cup squad.

- By John Cross

Tuchel insisted that he is not even thinking about having to leave out big names like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Cole Palmer.

That is because his only focus is on the players who put five past Serbia and scored three against Wales - performances which have turned up the heat ahead of next summer.

It is clearly going to be a long road back because the likes of Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson (below left) have seized their chance.

When asked what he hoped the big names who were not picked made of England's win against Wales, Tuchel said: ‘At the moment, it is only about the players who are in camp. The door is always open for anyone to jump in. The competition is on”.

That was throwing down the gauntlet to Bellingham and Co, but Tuchel kept it lighthearted when he was asked whether he could imagine all the big names left on the bench at the World Cup.