Thomas Tuchel, the head coach of the England national football team, has declared his intention to reach out to every player who was left on the cutting room floor for the upcoming World Cup. This move, designed to foster "transparency" and "communication," is sure to be the talk of the town, especially among the approximately 60 players currently feeling the sting of exclusion.

Following a flawless qualification campaign for Euro 2024,where England strutted their way through with an astonishing eight wins and zero goals conceded,Tuchel appears to be riding high on success. The recent 2-0 triumph over Albania has only added to the narrative of his "brilliant" coaching, showcasing a team that many are starting to view as unstoppable.

“First of all, it’s my job now to make contact with everyone, players like Trent,” Tuchel proclaimed, clearly referring to Trent Alexander-Arnold, a high-profile name notably missing from recent line-ups. The head coach has jumped at the opportunity to explain the reasoning behind player exclusions while offering some hollow reassurances about how they might claw their way back into contention.

“I need to explain to them why they were not here and what they have to do to get back into the fold,” Tuchel elaborated, as if he were some benevolent figure guiding lost souls. “Can they even do something or is it just a choice? This is my responsibility in the coming weeks and months.” 

Tuchel showered praise on Jarell Quansah, who recently made his debut with the team. “I see his talent, but I see the package,” he gushed, highlighting traits like height and speed. This only underscores the ongoing, cutthroat competition for spots,something that can’t help but feel disheartening for those left out.

Veteran players such as Luke Shaw, Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, and Kyle Walker are among the hopefuls eyeing a return to the squad. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck, who last donned the England jersey in 2018, is apparently eager to make his case for a comeback, hoping to break through a squad that has barely shifted since autumn.

When cornered about the mechanics of contacting a long list of players, Tuchel confessed, “Yeah, and I hate phone calls.” His preference for video calls, stating, “Better on FaceTime. Then I see the expression, at least, and get a feeling for the person,” feels more like a PR stunt than a genuine desire for connection. 

“It’s crucial that I reach out to everyone, even to the guys we didn’t pick regularly, to tell them where they stand and provide honest feedback,” Tuchel asserted, as if this gesture will heal all wounds. However, for those looking in from the outside, the challenge of breaking into a squad that Tuchel holds in such high esteem won't be easily overcome. “It hurts me honestly,” he lamented after the recent camp, a comment that plays into the emotional narrative he seems eager to cultivate.

As England gears up for the World Cup, Tuchel’s performative outreach and “commitment” to player development may either elevate or diminish the team’s spirit.