Tuchel keeps every England player on trial as he weighs World Cup squad with nine months to go

Thomas Tuchel said every England player remains on trial as he continues to test a large pool of candidates less than nine months before the World Cup, insisting he will keep options open as he assesses form, fitness and tactical fit.

Tuchel called 37 players into his latest camps — 12 defenders, 12 midfielders, 10 forwards and three goalkeepers — and said he expected the group traveling to the United States for the tournament to look different from the players currently featuring as he searches for more ruthless chance creation. England eased to a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra on Saturday but offered limited evidence of the style Tuchel is attempting to instill.

"There will be a lot of decisive matches involving English teams in club football," Tuchel said after naming the expanded group. "Of course I know some players that I trust and that I want to do good for us and for their clubs but we have to be open to any development in any direction." He added he did not expect a settled 23- or 24-player core by the end of November or even by March.

Tuchel has repeatedly emphasised flexibility since replacing Gareth Southgate, using short camps to evaluate a broad cross-section of talent rather than settling early on a fixed nucleus. That approach means players such as John Stones and Adam Wharton have been in the wider pool but unavailable because of injury, while others still need to press their claims in the coming seven qualifiers before a preliminary squad is named.

On Saturday at Wembley, England recorded the win against the 174th-ranked nation without dominating the match in the manner Tuchel has said he wants. England's expected goals (xG) for the game were 2.21, a modest return given the relative gulf between the sides. Across four qualifiers this campaign, England have scored eight times while their cumulative xG stands at about 11, an indicator Tuchel says points to a need for higher-quality chance creation rather than finishing alone.

Harry Kane, who has scored six goals for Bayern Munich this season, managed just 12 touches against Andorra and barely threatened in the box. The mismatch between goal tally and participation underlined Tuchel's assessment that England must become more ruthless in creating clear opportunities and in their playmaking. The manager has asked for more effective ball progression and sharper delivery into attacking areas as he refines an approach that has varied formations and personnel in each camp.

One player to emerge from the match was Elliot Anderson, now at Nottingham Forest after time at Newcastle, who provided one of England's clearest chances with a second-half effort after nicking possession on the edge of the box. Tuchel flagged Anderson's energetic press and attacking intent as examples of the behaviours he wants to see more often, and the 22-year-old could press his case further in the upcoming trip to Serbia on Tuesday.

Some selection headaches remain unresolved. At left back Tuchel started Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is currently a backup option at Arsenal, illustrating the manager's willingness to examine players not yet established as club regulars. The forward competition also looks open: Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke are among those being assessed, with Watkins said to be making a strong impression in training and club action.

Several England players have spoken of Tuchel's rotation and tactical tinkering. Defender Dan Burn described a manager "sort of chopped and changed," adding: "I think he's probably still learning what he wants from his players." That uncertainty is part of Tuchel's stated plan to keep his squad fluid and responsive to form over the season.

Tuchel's method carries risks: short camps mean less time to bed in tactics and build cohesion ahead of the World Cup. But the manager argues the openness allows him to react to club-season developments and to reward emerging talent. With nine months to go and seven qualifiers remaining before a preliminary squad is due, England's line-up for next summer's tournament remains very much under construction.