England's World Cup Hopes Lean on a Bold Trio, Says Scholes as Tuchel Charts a New Course

Overview

Paul Scholes, the English former Manchester United star, argues that England won’t win the upcoming World Cup unless manager Thomas Tuchel recalls three players he left out, including Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, calling them the three best players in the squad. Tuchel has chosen to rely on the group that impressed during the latest international window, with England’s 3-0 win over Wales in a Wembley friendly and a 5-0 victory away to Latvia sealing qualification for next summer’s World Cup finals.

The German coach was hired to lead the Three Lions toward global glory, but he has continued to follow his own beliefs and has made some controversial calls, leaving out Bellingham, Foden, and Jack Grealish from his latest squad.

Bellingham remains one of the world’s brightest talents despite his recent injury absence, while Foden had been England’s Player of the Year in the season before last, and Grealish had a bright start with Everton that made his omission puzzling.

Scholes told the British newspaper The Mirror that he was astonished and believed these three should be in the squad and likely to make the World Cup list. Look at the current team and you would think they have little chance of winning the World Cup, even with those three they would still face a tough path, but they would give England a better chance to lift the trophy.

He added that Bellingham had been out due to injury but is ready now and should have been called up. Tuchel has little time left before the World Cup, with only the November and March windows remaining, so including those players is essential.

Tuchel offered no guarantees about recalling the excluded players for the next camp, despite the intense debate around Bellingham’s omission. He stressed there is no personal issue with the Real Madrid star.

The former Chelsea boss has not shied away from bold decisions, recently directing direct criticism at Marcus Rashford, who is on loan to Barcelona, warning him not to waste his talent by failing to match his potential.

England will wrap up their World Cup qualifying campaign in the November international window with a home match against Serbia before travelling to Albania, with eyes on Tuchel’s selections as the countdown to the World Cup begins.

A Storied Career

Thomas Tuchel is widely regarded as one of the leading German coaches in modern football, known for his advanced tactical approach and multiple successes across Europe.

Born on 29 August 1973 in Krumbach, Germany, Tuchel began his playing career as a defender before an early retirement due to injury. He started coaching with Augsburg II in 2007, then Mainz from 2009 to 2014, where he drew attention for his attacking and organized style.

In 2015 he took charge of Borussia Dortmund, winning the 2016–2017 DFB-Pokal and emerging as a rising force in German football. He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, guiding them to domestic titles and reaching the Champions League final in 2020, which they lost to Bayern Munich.

In January 2021 he became Chelsea manager, delivering a remarkable season that culminated in the UEFA Champions League title, plus the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, cementing his status as a top-tier coach.

In 2023 he moved to Bayern Munich, facing domestic and European challenges, and in a surprising turn the English FA appointed him England manager from January 2025, making him the third foreign coach in the country’s history.

Tuchel has coached over 600 matches, winning 356, drawing 106, and losing 146, with teams scoring 1268 and conceding 701. Known for his analytical approach, player development, and tactical innovations, his career shows a relentless drive to excel on football’s biggest stages.

His ongoing journey underscores a relentless ambition and adaptability, making him one of the standout managers in modern football.

Legend of Manchester United

Paul Scholes stands as one of England’s most outstanding midfielders and a lasting icon for Manchester United. Born in Salford in 1974, he joined United’s academy as a youngster and broke into the first team in 1993 under Sir Alex Ferguson, part of a golden generation alongside David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt.

Scholes possessed extraordinary technical ability: precise passing, exceptional reading of the game, and powerful long-range shooting that became his trademark. He spent his entire professional career at Manchester United, recording more than 700 appearances and over 150 goals across competitions.

He helped United win a string of honours, including 11 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, and two Champions League crowns in 1999 and 2008, as part of the famous treble-winning side of 1999.

Although he retired from international football in 2004 after 66 caps for England, many felt England did not maximise his potential due to him being used in unfamiliar positions.

Scholes briefly returned to help United during injuries in 2012 before final retirement in 2013. Since then he has moved into analysis and coaching roles on a shorter-term basis.

Scholes remains an emblem of calm, quiet class who let his feet do the talking and left a lasting legacy in Manchester United and world football.

Punchline 1: If England win the World Cup with this squad, the trophy might finally need a passport rebound. Punchline 2: And if not, well, at least the internet will stay on high alert for the next big debate about football strategy.