Why Tuchel wanted Toney back in England picture

By the time the England World Cup squad was officially announced on Friday morning there had been more plot twists than an Agatha Christie novel.

While the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire had that feeling of a rug being pulled out from under them, Ivan Toney represents one of manager Thomas Tuchel's big reveals.

The 30-year-old Al-Ahli forward has not featured for England for almost 12 months since making his only appearance under the German - and that was as an 88th-minute substitute in a defeat by Senegal at the City Ground.

So having been left out of the past four squads, why has Tuchel decided to bring the forward back in from the international wilderness?

The former Brentford striker was part of Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024, when England lost in the final to Spain.

And he is expected to play a similar role this time, as a back-up to Harry Kane, with all three of his appearances in that tournament coming as a late substitute when England were chasing the game.

He also showcased his formidable penalty-taking qualities in the last eight, scoring from the spot in the shootout victory over Switzerland, when he found the net without looking at the ball as he stared down the keeper.

Toney's record of 36 goals in 85 Premier League games equates to almost a goal every other game and he has been even more prolific in the Saudi Pro League, where he has plundered 55 goals in 62 matches over two seasons.

For context, Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 53 times in 60 appearances in the same competition.

"[It was] also a bit of a surprise to us [his inclusion]," said Tuchel. "When it came down to all different kinds of scenarios he was back in the picture.

"I had fantastic feedback from his club coach, who was my player, and I have a close connection with him, always fantastic feedback about his role there, about his ability, his fitness."

This season, Toney finished second in the domestic scoring charts with 32 goals in 32 games - he evens boasts more assists and a better shot conversion rate than Bayern Munich forward Kane.

Just what those goals are worth outside Europe's top five leagues is yet to be seen, but on numbers alone his record stands up to scrutiny against any English striker around.

Given he is also one of only three centre-forwards selected by Tuchel, with Ollie Watkins also in the squad, it does not feel like a position that is overmanned given that 26 squad places were up for grabs.

Previous Three Lions squads at major tournaments have at times included four or five personnel for the exact same position.

The argument against his inclusion would ask why England need another forward aside from Kane and Watkins, given modern-day formational switches and a dearth of top-quality options for that position?