England manager Thomas Tuchel has been blasted over a striker decision surrounding the England national team in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel was appointed England boss last year with the aim of winning the tournament, and has so far taken charge of four World Cup qualifiers, winning all four matches without conceding a goal.
England have, though, according to some, not been overly impressive. After losing 3-1 to Senegal in a friendly last time out, they won their first match of the current international break 2-0 when they beat minnows Andorra 2-0 at Villa Park on Saturday night.
The goals haven’t exactly been flying in under Tuchel, with the reverse fixture finishing 1-0, while they have also beaten Albania 2-0 and Latvia 3-0.
That has led to a former Premier League star criticising Tuchel’s selection in an area he knows well – the forward line.
While captain Harry Kane is undoubtedly first choice as striker, it’s the options behind him that are lacking, according to Troy Deeney.
Thomas Tuchel has been described as ‘immature and stupid’ over his England striker call
Ivan Toney was omitted in the most recent England squad despite scoring 30 goals in 44 appearances for Al Ahli
Troy Deeney suggested that there has been a personality clash between Toney and Tuchel
‘I think that’s a personality clash, isn’t it?’ former Watford man Deeney said of Ivan Toney’s most recent omission on TalkSport. ‘I think the fact that he’s said that is immature and stupid anyway, in my opinion.
‘What he’s letting you know there, is he’s probably going to go to the tournament with two [strikers], Harry and Ollie Watkins, potentially three with [Liam] Delap at best.
‘And if any problems happen, he’s just going to rotate any of those guys up front and then if we lose, guess what, the excuse is already built in, we didn’t have enough strikers.’
Toney was called up to Tuchel’s final squad of last season, but missed out this time as he continues to play at club level in Saudi Arabia.
He has seven England caps to his name – and one goal – which included in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
Toney, 29, has 30 goals in 44 appearances for Al Ahli, but appears to be well down the pecking order for the former Chelsea boss.
‘Yes, we have a lot of options,’ Tuchel said ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Serbia. ‘We have Ollie [Watkins], we have Harry, Marcus [Rashford] can play there.
‘Jarrod Bowen can play there, Anthony Gordon played there for Newcastle. I think so. Phil Foden can play in the nine, Morgan Rogers can play in the nine.
‘Let’s see who catches form and catches fire in the Premier League, or wherever and starts scoring. But yes we have enough firepower there.’