JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed how he believes Thomas Tuchel could transform the England side.
The German, 51, was last week confirmed as the new Three Lions boss on an 18-month contract, set to begin on January 1.
Tuchel’s first game in charge will be next March.
Following the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain boss’ arrival, ex-England defender Carragher had a go at predicting how he will pick his side.
Appearing on Monday Night Football he selected his XI, making some bold choices along the way.
With Jordan Pickford remaining in goal, Carragher added some inexperience to his defence alongside stalwarts Trent Alexander-Arnold and John Stones.
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The former Liverpool ace went for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has so far earned just one cap, to partner Stones.
He also reckons that Chelsea’s three-cap star Levi Colwill could solve the Three Lions’ left-back issue.
In an attacking 4-2-3-1 system, Carragher opted to move Jude Bellingham into a deeper midfield position alongside Declan Rice.
With captain Harry Kane remaining the focal point up front, Carra selected pace and trickery in the trio behind him.
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“(Bukayo) Saka has to play on the right wing, he has to,” the pundit began, before pointing at the No10 position. “Cole Palmer for me has to play there.
“Not necessarily because he’s been amazing for England, hasn’t had too many choices.
“But when someone’s playing that well in club football, they have to play.
“And right now I’d play Gordon there (the left). Because if Kane for me is still England’s best centre-forward, you need pace around him.”
It was then pointed out that Carragher had made a huge omission in leaving out Manchester City star Phil Foden.
On the reigning PFA Player of the Year, Carragher added: “You know how much I love Phil Foden.
“But Phil Foden still hasn’t done enough in an England shirt. And you’re getting to the stage now where he’s probably played 40-50 games for England.
“He’s still… Palmer’s not really had his chance yet, neither’s Anthony Gordon, certainly the chances that… (Foden has).”
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Foden, 24, has so far earned 41 England caps since debuting in 2020, scoring just once in three major tournaments – against Wales during the World Cup in Qatar.
Palmer, meanwhile, has two goals in nine caps – one as a substitute in the Euro 2024 final – with Gordon having made six appearances, featuring for just one minute in the summer’s tournament in Germany.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
