How England could line up at Euro 2028 as harsh Harry Kane reality is exposed

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Thomas Tuchel still has the chance to lead England to their best-ever World Cup on foreign soil.

For all the disappointment and frustration of the surrender to Argentina, it was only England’s fourth semi final. They lifted the trophy in 1966, lost amid the tears of Turin in 1990 and again to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup.

The third place play-off is the game nobody really wants and England lost to Italy in 1990 and to Belgium eight years ago.

Now, if they beat France and finish third in the tournament - far from an easy task - then it will still be seen as even more of an overwhelming success by those in power at the Football Association.

And beyond that, England have what can loosely be called a home Euros in 2028 when Tuchel really will be expected to deliver. After losing back-to-back Euro finals under Gareth Southgate , Tuchel was hired to get England over the line and to finally become winners.

They just missed out on a place in the World Cup final but, when Tuchel signed a new two-year contract extension, he referenced how much managing England in the Euros would mean to him.

That is why Tuchel will be certain to look at the next generation for Euro 2028 and, in particular, who can break into what will be his next England team.

This World Cup has been very much a mixed bag for Jordan Pickford thanks to heroics against Mexico but also the England keeper being questioned over Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser for Argentina, an erratic display against Croatia and some nervous kicking.

It feels as if Pickford could come under serious pressure for the first time since he was made No1 ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

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That should come in the form of Manchester City ’s James Trafford who recognised during this tournament that he will need to be No1 somewhere to realistically challenge Pickford which is his ultimate goal.

Trafford has long been seen at the FA as a natural long-term successor as No1 keeper but that went wrong after his move to City last summer because his arrival was quickly followed by Gianluigi Donnarumma. If Trafford can get regular Premier League game time, then this could be his big chance.

At right back, Reece James is a Tuchel favourite but his injury record has opened the door. Trent Alexander-Arnold is not his cup of tea but Ben White and Tino Livramento are pushing through.

Marc Guehi is set in stone in central defence and really it is the flanks where competition looks to be heating up. If Myles Lewis-Skelly keeps up his progress, then he will surely be back into the squad sooner rather than later after his remarkable end to the season.

Arsenal ’s teenage prodigy Max Dowman can play as a No10, deeper in midfield but also wide right and he is really one to watch.

Dowman was out in New York during the World Cup for an Adidas shoot and next time he could be starring on the pitch rather than off it. Dowman is destined for the very top but is still only 16 so maybe he will not be starting for England until the next World Cup.

The same goes for Alex Scott because the Bournemouth midfielder definitely has a big chance of he keeps progressing after being called up to the England training group in Florida ahead of the World Cup.

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The other player is Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha who was another called up to the pre-camp in Florida and his future looks incredibly bright. Ngumoha is very much an attacking force from the left and we saw glimpses of his potential in the friendly against New Zealand.

But this World Cup ended up being a success for Anthony Gordon and you have to balance the attacking mentality of Ngumoha against the defensive responsibilities of Gordon.

Either way, there is real strength and quality there. And that is not something you can say about the centre forward position.

The harsh reality is there is no-one ready to step into Harry Kane ’s boots. He turns 33 later this month, he will be 36 at the next World Cup and even the Euros will be a stretch at 34.

There is simply no-one. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are both 30, they barely got a look-in this time and yet Dom Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Liam Delap have not grasped the mettle.

Eddie Nketiah was once a big hope but never kicked on. England have such an issue that Tuchel identified Phil Foden and Cole Palmer as being able to play false nines. Neither even made this squad.

England have talent in abundance - but not up front.

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England's possible Xi for Euro 2028: James Trafford; Tino Livramento, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Rio Ngumoha; Harry Kane.

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