Simon Wells

@henrywinter Good breakdown Henry. Thank you.

Long way to go, form and fitness can change things … but has Thomas Tuchel given an early indication of his first-choice XI at the World Cup? Pickford; James (if fit), Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane. All outfield been involved in Europe this season so sensible by Tuchel to give them a breather for the Wembley friendly against Uruguay on March 27 (James out anyway with hamstring issue). Tuchel’s “core” (with Dean Henderson) report for March 31 Japan friendly. A camp of two halves. So, that possible World Cup XI... GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford obviously No 1 (Dean Henderson No 2). RIGHT-BACK: James out with a hamstring but clearly first choice; played 6 of 8 qualifiers under Tuchel. Trent Alexander-Arnold clearly not part of Tuchel’s plans. Wrong playing “profile”, apparently. Tuchel: “It's a sportive decision that we stick with Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence who can play for us at right-back. The right-backs (mentioned) offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold). The evidence is we were good in September-November (when James played) than anything from Trent.” Crazy. CENTRE-BACK: Konsa-Guehi is Tuchel’s first-choice pairing. Dan Burn remains amongst Tuchel favourites, and one of those rested for Uruguay game. Burn clearly goes to World Cup, despite concerns over his vulnerability to pace. LEFT-BACK: Nico O’Reilly listed amongst defenders in Tuchel’s squad, even though his preferred position is midfield. Started last two games for Tuchel at left-back. Lewis Hall has to prove himself against Uruguay to get ahead of O’Reilly, who looks first choice. MIDFIELD: familiar faces. Elliot Anderson the 6 to Declan Rice’s 8. Great blend. England’s best midfield combination. 10: so many contenders. Morgan Rogers the man in possession. A Tuchel favourite. Involved in all his 10 games, ahead of Jude Bellingham in the race to start at 10. Bellingham, a world-class talent, has a minor muscle injury but reports. Tuchel: “I wanted Jude to be in camp, Jude wanted to be in camp and Real Madrid were happy for him to come to camp. The best case scenario is that he gets some minutes against Japan.” Appears a Palmer v Foden shootout against Uruguay for the third No 10 slot (Gibbs-White’s World Cup dream seems over, not in squad). Incredible to think that Foden might not go to the World Cup. (Tuchel spoke well of Eze and his versatility, wide and 10.) WINGERS: Anthony Gordon is ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left. Bukayo Saka clearly first choice on the right. 9: record-breaking talisman and captain fantastic Harry Kane a golden shoe-in. No Ollie Watkins – omitted for “sportive” reasons, basically Tuchel doesn’t seem to rate him. Bit harsh. Has dug England out of holes before. The duel to be Kane’s back-up (unless you include Rashford/Gordon as strikers as well as wingers) now between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke. Tuchel: “The competition is on. They will compete for minutes against Uruguay. Calvert-Lewin has had a good season with Leeds and is very decisive. Both are good penalty-takers, by the way. I want to see what they're capable of and if they can fill the gap.” Beyond Alexander-Arnold’s ridiculous omission, there is plenty good about Tuchel’s squad. Makes sense to have a training keeper. Jason Steele, the 35-year-old Brighton man, goes to the World Cup as effectively the 27th player, unregistered, the training keeper as then popular Tom Heaton did at Euro 2024. Tuchel refused to say Steele was on the plane. Did say: “We have identified him as a very good candidate for this (training keeper) role.” Very sensible by Tuchel to give his first choices (Euro players) a break. “All of these guys have played 3,500+ minutes, some of them have 4,000.” Great to see Everton’s in-form, versatile James Garner get a first call. Tuchel: “I’ve been impressed watching him live by his work-rate and physicality. He’s a bit of an under-rated player.” On the centre-backs, especially good to see Harry Maguire back in squad. Playing well for Manchester United, a leader, and takes a pen. (Maguire’s lawyers have emphasised there would be no issue for a US visa if he were selected for the World Cup despite his travails in Greece). On Fikayo Tomori, Tuchel: “He is fast, aggressive, strong in duels.” Quansah ahead, plus offers cover at right-back. Tuchel on good form at Wembley today, his usual upbeat self, and you can see why players warm to him. Tuchel's also fortunate that he has such depth of options to select from. If England’s World Cup starting XI looks increasingly clear, those playing against Uruguay still have so much to play for. Tuchel: “It is our last camp, the last opportunity to impress, to compete for their ticket.” #ENG

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@sidlowe @stanleyong82 You had that energy once Sid, I witnessed it! 😉 It was a soft penalty but the contact is enough to give it, argument that Noni gets away a shot at goal if he doesn’t go down. Clearly not a dive in my humble opinion.

@stanleyong82 Did I have the same energy when Cunha dived is glorious

Oh my word. I know, I know, I’m late. But I have just seen Arsenal’s penalty from last night… again, said a million times, the great hope of VAR is the great disappointment: it hasn’t eradicated dives, it has encouraged them

@benshephard @ITV It really is. Getting there Ben. Hope all good too.

@SiWellsy @ITV It wonderful isn’t it Si! Hope alls good

So if you saw #tippingpoint @ITV today you might have seen Jamie talk about using any winnings for IVF with Hayley to give Otis their son a little bro or sis. Well they hit the jackpot with our first Tipping Point Triplets Nova Jasper and Billy ❤️🥹 Not sure it gets much better

@ruthbeckart Done

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@laythy29 Absolutely this!

Handy tip. Don’t give the time of day to anyone who pays for a blue tick and calls from Mikel Arteta to be sacked after the Premier League leaders lost to a resurgent Manchester United

It doesn’t get much more embarrassing than trying to sign a player, being strung along before he joins your most hated rivals and then proceeds to bury you in a derby

@premierleague Spursy 🤣

Describe that Eberechi Eze hat-trick with one word 👇

@nedboulting Done, a very good read!

@GoonerFanzine perfect timing as I start my half term, but it’s now meant I have another excuse not to do some school work! Good excuse tho! Oh and totally agree @laythy29 re Newcastle fans as a Gooner exiled in the North East! #COYG #TheArsenal

@petercrouch Or 09 pretty good looking too

@petercrouch 94! The last proper football boot!

98 all day

@GunnerLoulou Charlie Nicholas!

Of any era - which Arsenal transfer has given you the most pleasure?

@Biggies_MaIIs I once ran from my own half with the ball in the London Old Boys league, managed to get away from the defenders, all in our half and beat the GK to score. The referee blew for off side! Never felt so sick! I didn’t score many and that was my worldie 🤣🤬 even I knew it was onside

I don’t normally feel sorry for Man Utd but they’ve been very hard done to for that Man City 3rd goal. Haaland being at least 8 yards offside and not picked up by the officials or VAR is scandalous really.

@OfficialNTAs @GaryLineker Brilliant! Never voted in the NTV Awards before, but I did for Gary! 👏

The nation has spoken... @GaryLineker is TV Presenter of the Year! #NTAs

@LauraKirk12 Who ever listens to TalkSport??

it's fine guys, I'm sure they'll do a tweet like this for every England player who had a poor night! right? right???

@rawls_heather @nedboulting And a John Smedley pullover!

@nedboulting Lure him with quality coffee.....

I'm doing a couple of giveaways to celebrate the upcoming new school year! This first #giveaway is for my book on #behaviour. Like and retweet this post to enter (UK only). Winner picked next Saturday. Please share! Thank you. #freebie