'Tuchel's gambles and iron conviction position him as the anti-Southgate'

Breaking news from the world of sport: 'Tuchel's gambles and iron conviction position him as the anti-Southgate'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Thomas Tuchel named his first World Cup squad as England manager on Friday morningByPhil McNulty Chief football writerPublished15 minutes agoEngland head coach Thomas Tuchel has never hidden from taking tough decisions or throwing down wild cards, so his eyebrow-raising World Cup squad follows true to form. Whether it was leaving Jude Bellingham out of England's squad when Real Madrid's superstar wanted to be included, or announcing Harry Maguire was only fifth choice in central defence after an impressive return to international duty in March, Tuchel refuses to bend to the popular mood or a star system. If predecessor Gareth Southgate was criticised for being cloaked in conservatism and playing it safe, Tuchel's iron will in following his instincts has now effectively positioned himself as the anti-Southgate.

Tuchel has mentioned "proof of concept" in the past, which will come in a matter of weeks, but there is no doubt there is a heavy element of a gambler's roll of the dice in almost every position with this England squad. Tuchel names England World Cup squad as Alexander-Arnold misses out Foden, Palmer, Alexander-Arnold to miss World Cup Published1 hour agoToney the wildest of wild cardsIvan Toney's sudden return to England's squad after a year out is both a remarkable act of faith – or change of heart - on Tuchel's part as well as a condemnation of others who had claims on being Harry Kane's understudy. It is also another sign of what is surely England and Tuchel's biggest fear – how can they cope should misfortune befall all-time record goalscorer Kane?

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Quite how 30-year-old Toney has worked his way back into Tuchel's consciousness is intriguing, given he was summoned from Saudi Arabia a year ago for a World Cup qualifier away to Andorra then a friendly at home to Senegal, given two minutes as a substitute in the latter as England lost 3-1, then was dispatched never to be seen again. Until Tuchel laid out his World Cup masterplan. Toney has scored 42 goals for his Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli this season, not necessarily the acid test of international quality, but this pick has not come from left field.

It has come from a different continent. It may be that Toney has the cool temperament required in the heat of World Cup combat, and he is a penalty expert of course, but why has Tuchel left his selection until now after trying Dominic Calvert-Lewin and ignored the claims of Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck? If he felt Toney was going to be part of his World Cup plans for those March friendlies, why not pick him then?

England's midfield creation left at home? Tuchel has come up with an emphatic answer to the question of whether Manchester City's Phil Foden or Chelsea's Cole Palmer should make his squad – neither. In reality, Foden or Palmer can have no complaints based on form this season.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.