Tottenham are typically well represented at World Cups, and we had World Cup winners in the last two tournaments. With the way the season has started for some, though, a place may not be automatic.
Dominic Solanke
Solanke had his critics last season but there is no doubt he should improve our forward line when he returns from injury. Tottenham have struggled all season to hold the ball up. Kudus aside, when we attack the ball comes straight back at our defenders more often than not.
While never expected to replace Harry Kane’s output, Solanke did not score as many goals as we needed last year. He pressed well from the front, though, and is better at linking play than we have seen from his teammates so far. As Premier League trends continue to evolve and we are seeing a little more direct football played again this season, the role of the striker linking play has become more critical.
Harry Kane is clearly the number one choice for England, and it seems as if Thomas Tuchel is going to play with just one up front (football trends haven’t swung so far back to make 4-4-2 common again, though I can but hope for the day). Tuchel has also shown he will prioritize players who are in form and so need to be playing regularly, and this is where Solanke’s issue might be. There is not a huge number of strikers making a claim for an England spot now.
Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have filled places in the recent past, but neither are in the most recent squad. Kane really is the only out-and-out striker who has been selected, so the opportunity is there for Solanke. He has been unlucky with injuries, and it is still unknown if Thomas Frank sees him as a fit for his side. There is time and there is hope for Spurs and for England that Solanke can get back to scoring goals soon.
Richarlison
Richarlison scored one of the goals of the last World Cup finals with a scissor kick vs. Serbia. He also scored a brilliant goal this season for Tottenham on the opening day vs. Burnley. Unfortunately, there haven’t been enough performances between or since for Richarlison to consistently be a goal threat. On top of a lack of goals, he has struggled to get into games at times, resulting in attacks breaking down. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti was appointed this year and has worked successfully with Richarlison before at Everton. Richarlison is still more likely to make the World Cup squad, but Brazil do have options in attack, and he has not scored for Brazil since that World Cup in 2022.
As with Solanke, the outcome Tottenham fans of course hope for is Richarlison’s form returns. He scored in his last game vs Man United, albeit fortunately, and despite it disappointingly not proving to be the late winner, perhaps that will provide some confidence going forward. Tottenham could use Richarlison to pick up some form and make that World Cup squad place his own.
Xavi Simons
It is unlikely that the Netherlands go to the world cup without Simons but every tournament there are surprises like this, particularly when a player has moved clubs and is struggling to adapt to his new role. Xavi has made a quiet and inconsistent start at Spurs, and Thomas Frank seems a little unsure of his best position.
Competition for places could increase once injured players such as Dejan Kulusevski return. He also seems to often be a player Frank will sub if changing things tactically in the second half of games.
Having said that, Xavi has improved in recent matches for Spurs, and our poor attacking play as a whole is likely not helping. For Xavi, missing out on the World Cup would be a big surprise and would have likely meant a poor season at Spurs. His clear ability means this should not happen, and Thomas Frank will hopefully show more patience with our recent signing.