After England exited the World Cup in the semi-finals, Thomas Tuchel's team selection has come under more scrutiny than ever. Never a people pleaser regarding who he starts, the German might be willing to put in some new blood and faces during the UEFA Nations League to give this squad new dimensions.
As the Three Lions prepare to face Croatia in Rijeka, Tuchel is demanding ruthless consistency. The current camp represents a golden window of opportunity. With the manager testing new tactical shapes, here are four stars who can decide their international futures with a dominant performance against the Croats.
Alex Scott
The Bournemouth midfielder has had to remain incredibly patient, but his moment has finally arrived. After narrowly missing out on Tuchel's final World Cup squad, Alex Scott continued to graft.
Scott was given a chance with an international debut in Prague, where he impressed off the bench in the second half against ten-man Czechia. Tuchel seems to like the midfielder who can sweep up while also being able to work the ball forward. A composed, tempo-dictating performance against a notoriously stubborn Croatian midfield could make him an England regular in the next few years.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
To many people leaving out one of the best crossing full backs that the game has seen is a miss, but Tuchel values defensive solidity and ball retention over anything else. The England manager seems to be easing up on his stance though with his performance in the last Nations League game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been placed in a new role as a deep lying playmaker with his passing range and ability to break the lines. With pacy wingers he can bounce off and being given consistent game time, he could use this platform to put himself in tournament plans.
Eberechi Eze
Tuchel is reportedly eyeing changes to the lineup that could unleash Eberechi Eze in the Croatia game, and it is a massive opportunity for some attacking showcase. England occasionally struggle to break down rigid, compact defenses in hostile away environments.
Eze’s unique ability to glide past players and operate in impossibly tight spaces provides the ultimate wildcard. If he can link the midfield to the attack and produce a moment of magic, he will prove he is more than just a luxury player for the international stage.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The Arsenal academy graduate has rapidly established himself as one of the most versatile young players in the Premier League, recently featuring in back-to-back Nations League fixtures under Tuchel. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been catching the eye with his composure, maturity, and press-resistance in the middle of the park.
Capable of dictating play from central midfield or dropping in as an inverted left-back, his versatility is exactly what modern international managers crave. A commanding performance in Rijeka could firmly cement his place in Tuchel's long-term vision as the future of England's midfield.
