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Konsa Doubtful, O'Reilly Out for England's Nations League Match
Developing
In Short: Arsenal centre-back Ezri Konsa and Liverpool winger Nico O'Reilly are in doubt for England's upcoming Nations League match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
Arsenal centre-back Ezri Konsa and Liverpool winger Nico O'Reilly are in doubt for England's upcoming Nations League match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
O'Reilly has been ruled out of the match after making a mistake that led to Spain drawing the game at 2-2 during England's 3-2 loss to Spain on Saturday.
Konsa, who started seven of the eight matches at the World Cup, is set to be in the squad but his participation remains uncertain.
Rio Ngumoha, who missed out on the matchday squad for the defeat by Spain, has been called up as O'Reilly's replacement.
Central defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who came on for Marc Guehi late on against Spain, could be a contender to start if Konsa is unavailable.
Tuchel has to prepare the players for four games in 11 days, and he has found having the matches in a short period of time difficult.
England play four matches in this international window and, after the loss to Spain, take on the Czech Republic both home and away, either side of travelling to Rijeka to play Croatia.
The matches England are playing in the Nations League come in the new format of an international break which will bring the team together for three weeks.
O'Reilly's absence could provide an opportunity for Newcastle United's Lewis Hall to stake his claim for a starting spot at left-back.
What this adds
England's style of play and identity were debated before the loss to Spain, with Tuchel considering a shift towards embracing chaos while maintaining control.
What's still developing
- Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon said the Three Lions should play a more traditional way, while Tuchel said he may start to "embrace the chaos".
- "I think we showed our style, and showed our courage and identity - they showed it throughout the 90 minutes," said Tuchel.
- F1 Q&A England are learning - these are the World Cup issues they need to solve Award winner to fourth choice - what has gone wrong for Ramsdale?
- The pair were the only two members of the England squad to miss training on Monday morning, with the players following their own individual programmes.
- Tuchel rues 'big mistakes' - did Man City charges have impact?
- England embrace the chaos - but control also needed to win big prizes Before the loss to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, there was a lot of debate about England's style of play and identity.
- It comes with Thomas Tuchel required to drop one player from his 24-man group, with only 23 permitted on a matchday with 11 starters and 12 substitutes.
- The tough decision was therefore made to leave Ngumoha out, which was also taken as Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente cut Munoz from his squad in London.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold is part of Tuchel’s selection to face Spain, with the right-back involved for the first time since leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid.