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Sports • 16h ago

One final experiment? Unpicking Tuchel's latest England squad

One final experiment? Unpicking Tuchel's latest England squad
**England Manager Gareth Tuchel Makes Surprise Call-up for Dominic Calvert-Lewin** In a move that highlights the depth of England's striker crisis, manager Gareth Tuchel has selected Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the national team. The 29-year-old Leeds United striker, who won 11 caps and last played for England in July 2021, has been given a chance to revive his international career after a period of struggle with injuries. Calvert-Lewin's recall is a testament to his perseverance and self-belief, as he has worked tirelessly to regain his fitness and form at Elland Road. Calvert-Lewin's inclusion in the squad underscores a pressing concern for England and Tuchel: the lack of depth at striker. The team's reliance on captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane, who is 32 years old and still in exceptional form for Bayern Munich, is a worry. Kane has scored 78 goals in 112 appearances for England, and his absence would leave a significant void. The alternatives to Kane, such as Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, have struggled with inconsistent form and injuries, leaving Tuchel with limited options. The absence of Watkins, who scored the winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, from the current squad is telling. His patchy club form has raised concerns about his ability to perform at the highest level. Meanwhile, Dominic Solanke of Tottenham Hotspur has made his way back into the team after several months on the sidelines with an ankle problem. Marcus Rashford, who has been used in wider positions, and Anthony Gordon, who has played through the centre for Newcastle United, are not seen as natural alternatives to Kane. Calvert-Lewin's inclusion is a heart-warming redemption tale, but Tuchel and England supporters must be aware of the risks. The team's World Cup hopes could be severely impacted if Kane were to suffer an injury or be unavailable for selection. As Tuchel's squad prepares for its next challenge, the spotlight will be on Calvert-Lewin and the other strikers to prove themselves capable of filling the void left by Kane.
Source: Original Article • AI-enhanced version

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