World Cup stories: Don't expect any Thomas Tuchel surprises says former England midfielder

This time next week, we'll all know who's in and who's out of England's World Cup squad, with Thomas Tuchel set to name his final party on Friday. 

There are still question marks over several positions and places in the Three Lions ranks, which all should be answered when he announces which names have made the plane.

Since the March friendlies, there have been a number of names to make a late claim for a spot, but former England midfielder Ray Parlour isn't expecting any big surprises. \

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Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to 10bet - sign up for the latest casino offers - Parlour can't see a way in for any new names and is more interested in where the players he does select might play. 

"I can't see any surprises," he said. 

"I think he's probably got more or less everybody he wants now. People are talking about Downman—I said no, he's too young for that. Too much has happened in his career at 16.DAZN/FIFA

"I know Theo Walcott went to the World Cup without really playing for Arsenal, but that's too early (for Dowman). I think he more or less has an idea of what sort of players he wants.

"Bellingham will be interesting. Is he going to play number 10? Will Morgan Rogers play there? And he likes Morgan; he likes Elliott Anderson in midfield.

"So it'd be certain games where it might be harder than others that he might play two holding midfielders, and other games where you expect to win, you might go for a little bit more attack-minded. I’m not expecting lots of shocks" 

Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

The one concern for the Arsenal cult hero though, is England's captain. Harry Kane has had the season of his life in 2025-26, where his displays have put him right in the conversation for this year's Ballon d'Or. 

However, Parlour wonders what the Three Lions would do if Kane suffers an injury and who is able enough to act as his back-up. 

Adding, "The only thing for me will be if Harry Kane is fit. If he's not fit, we might struggle a little bit because you know what he's done and the striker he is.

"There are a lot of doubts about who is going to be his backup. Look, I'm not knocking Watkins or Solanke, whoever goes alongside Calvert-Lewin, but Harry Kane is the main man and he's going to be so important for England if they're going to be getting to the latter stages of the competition.

"He's got to stay fit; he's got to be ready to go" 

England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17 before games against Ghana and Panama in Group L. 
 

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