Thomas Tuchel just made the boldest World Cup roster call in recent memory, and England is losing its collective mind. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden - two of the brightest stars in English football - are staying home while the Three Lions head to the biggest tournament on the planet.
Let me say that again: Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are not going to the World Cup. These aren't fringe players. These aren't guys struggling for form. These are elite talents in their prime, and they're watching from their couches.
Tuchel has his reasons. "I think from day one we were very clear that we are trying to select and build the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect the 26 most talented players," he said. "Teams win championships. It's as simple as that."
That's a hell of a statement when you're leaving generational talent at home. But here's the thing - Tuchel isn't wrong about teams mattering more than talent. The problem is whether this team is actually better than one with Palmer and Foden in it.
Harry Maguire went public with his disappointment after getting cut, and Tuchel admitted he was surprised. "I was a bit surprised, but I respect his personality a lot," the manager said, according to the BBC. "He had the chance to express his feelings privately, which he did."
The full squad announcement shows went with continuity over star power. He's backing the players who got through qualifying, the ones who've built chemistry over the last eight months. That's admirable. It's also terrifying.
