Tuchel says door open for ‘top characters’ to earn spot in England’s World Cup squad

The article discusses England manager Thomas Tuchel's approach to the national team's World Cup squad selection. Tuchel has emphasized that the "competition is on" for a spot in the team, and that the door will remain open for "top characters" to earn a place, even if they are currently left out. The article notes that Tuchel made some surprising selection decisions, leaving out Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, despite both players being fit. Tuchel's stated aim is to build the best team, rather than simply collect the best individual talents. This was evidenced by England's 3-0 friendly win over Wales, where they excelled without Bellingham, Foden, and the injured Cole Palmer. The article suggests that Tuchel is willing to make bold choices in order to create a cohesive and high-performing national team, rather than simply selecting the most high-profile players. This approach appears to be paying off, as England demonstrated their ability to win without some of their star players.