Thomas Tuchel plans to keep Club World Cup players for England vs Senegal
National team could have as many as 12 players from Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid for summer fixtures
Matt Law05 May 2025 2:00pm BST
Thomas Tuchel is planning to stick to his promise of avoiding special favours for club managers by keeping England’s Club World Cup players for the friendly against Senegal.
England play two games in June, a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona and a friendly against Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City ground – four days before the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States on June 14.
It had been anticipated that players scheduled to participate in the Club World Cup would be released from Tuchel’s squad after the Andorra game, but the German is believed to have been leaning towards keeping them for the entire camp.
A final decision has not yet been made and further planning talks are scheduled. The issue is of particular relevance to Tuchel’s former club Chelsea, given they are on course to reach the final of the Europa Conference League and start their Club World Cup campaign two days before Manchester City.
Telegraph Sport understands that Chelsea do not plan to make any special requests for the early release of their players. The club will abide by Tuchel’s wishes, which could impact as many as 12 England players with City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid also competing in the Club World Cup.
Chelsea have four players – Cole Palmer, Reece James, Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke – who could play in the Club World Cup and be selected for England. Phil Foden is one of five City players who are of interest to Tuchel, while Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Conor Gallagher are in line to take part in the Club World Cup for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who on Monday announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, is expected to join Bellingham at Real on a free transfer midway through the Club World Cup, although the Spanish club could yet pay a transfer fee to Liverpool to sign him in time for the competition.
Should Tuchel stick to his plan, then Chelsea’s England contingent will meet up with their team-mates just five days before their opening Club World Cup game against Leon in Atalanta.
Competing teams at the Club World Cup must arrive in the US no later than three days before their opening tie. Bayern kick off on June 15, Chelsea on June 16 and Real Madrid and City on June 18. The international window runs from June 2 to 10 and the national teams have priority during it.
The schedule for Chelsea’s players is particularly busy, with the club on course to compete in the final of the Europa Conference League in Poland on May 28, three days after the final Premier League fixtures.
