‘Must be appealing’ – Thomas Tuchel told to end five-cap star’s 767-day England exile

Thomas Tuchel has been urged to recall Fikayo Tomori after over two years out of the England squad.

The AC Milan defender has been tipped for an international return ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

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Tuchel’s side are set to face Uruguay and Japan in friendlies during the March international break before they bid for World Cup glory in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Those fixtures are currently England’s final matches before their squad for the tournament is finalised.

The Three Lions are then set to take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama during the group stage.

European football journalist Andy Brassell believes Tomori will be an option for Tuchel’s defence in the summer.

The 28-year-old has won five caps since making his England debut under Gareth Southgate aged 21.

However, he has not been included in an international squad since their Euro 2024 qualifiers in November 2023.

Tomori tipped for England recall

Tomori’s exile could soon end, though, thanks to his form in Serie A so far this season, according to Brassell.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he explained: “I think Tomori’s been really, really good this season.

“Possibly his best form since he’s arrived at Milan. As we said earlier in the season, he really owes a lot of it to Sergio Conceicao, who was only at Milan for six months but put his foot down when the club tried to sell Tomori.

“Going back to the winter transfer window, he said, ‘no, I want this guy on my team and we’re going to keep him’.

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“Since then, he’s gradually worked his way back into the team, especially this season, in which he’s been fantastic.

“We know he can play in a four and a three, which makes him someone who can adapt to various situations.”

Brassell continued: “In terms of him being in a World Cup squad, I think it’s a leap to say that he’s going to be a starter for England at the World Cup.

“But as someone who could cover a load of different positions and adapt, I think he’s very appealing. He must be appealing to Thomas Tuchel, particularly with the form he’s in.

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“What we’ve seen from Tomori this season, and we’ve always known he’s a real defender’s defender, he’s combative, he wants to get stuck in with opposition forwards.

“But what we’ve seen this season under Max Allegri, who is globally thought of as quite a defensive coach, so maybe you wouldn’t expect this from him, we’ve seen Tomori become better and better at bringing the ball out.

“One of those players in a back three who does slot into advanced positions in open play, and can deliver the ball as well. There have been a few assists in there too.

“So, I think when we’re talking about someone who could fit into different incarnations of what England are trying to do, I think he’s someone who’s really, really interesting.”

Tomori’s World Cup boost

Tomori joined Milan from Chelsea in the summer of 2021 after an initial loan spell with the Italian giants.

Milan are not competing in European competition this season after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.

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The club finished eighth in Serie A as well as losing the Coppa Italia final to Bologna.

As a result, they are only competing domestically this term for the first time in six seasons.

Brassell believes Milan’s lack of fixture congestion could benefit Tomori’s World Cup hopes.

He added: “I think the other thing that recommends him, you talked before about him not having European football this season. I think that should be a big part of it.

“The fact that a lot of the players that he’s competing with, the ones that he’s name-dropped, you look at them in terms of where they are fitness-wise.

“John Stones is the first name on your defensive end of the team sheet if he’s fit. But is he? That’s always the question, isn’t it? It’s a question that Thomas Tuchel has got to ask himself.

“I think Tomori, there’s every reason to suppose that he’s going to arrive into next summer in great nick. Because he’s going to play a third less games than any of his competitors at elite clubs. Because they’re all playing a lot of games in the Premier League and in Europe as well.

“So that’s something that works really well for Tuchel, I think. I think he’s an interesting bet to get there.”

Tomori, who has won a league title during his time in Italy, has made 17 appearances across all competitions this season.

Those include 12 Serie A starts for Milan, who currently sit second in the table and just a point behind city rivals Inter Milan.