Thomas Tuchel, the new England manager, has finally broken his silence on the selection criteria that led to Jarrad Branthwaite’s surprising snub from the national team. While Tuchel hasn’t directly addressed Branthwaite’s exclusion, his recent comments on the team’s dynamics provide some insight.
Tuchel emphasized the importance of character, determination, grit, and hunger in his players, highlighting that these traits are crucial for success at the highest level ¹. He also stressed the need for a strong team dynamic, suggesting that he values players who can work well together and support each other on and off the pitch.
Given these comments, it’s possible that Branthwaite’s omission was due to Tuchel’s desire to build a cohesive unit with a specific set of values and characteristics. Branthwaite, despite his impressive performances for Everton, may not have fit Tuchel’s vision for the team at this time.
Interestingly, Jamie Carragher believes Branthwaite has the potential to be a key player for England, citing his size, presence, and left-footedness as valuable assets ². However, Tuchel’s selection criteria seem to prioritize other factors, at least for now.
As the England team continues to evolve under Tuchel’s guidance, it will be fascinating to see how Branthwaite’s situation develops. Will he eventually earn a call-up, or will Tuchel continue to favor other players? Only time will tell.
