World Cup 2026: England’s current last 32 opponents, Declan Rice, Reece James update & Eze quotes

Thomas Tuchel’s original squad included two ready-made replacements for Reece James – Djed Spence and Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento.

Chelsea’s James has suffered with injuries throughout his career, but Tuchel was keen to include the 26-year-old defender despite the possibility that he may not be able to play every game at this World Cup.

With Spence and Livramento in the squad, that gave the England manager plenty of cover.

But Livramento, who, like Spence, can play at both right-back and left-back, had also been plagued by injuries this season.

When the former Southampton defender had to pull out of the World Cup the day before England’s opening game, that highlighted a potential source of weakness in Tuchel’s squad selection.

There were cries for him to pick another specialist full-back as Livramento’s replacement, with Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall at the top many fans’ list.

However, Tuchel opted instead to bring in Chelsea’s 26-year-old centre-back Trevoh Chalobah.

When asked to explain this decision, the German said that Chalobah’s inclusion would “free up” Jarell Quansah to deputise at full-back.