Thomas Tuchel told one-cap England man with World Cup dilemma is ‘playing better than Bukayo Saka’

Harvey Barnes deserves to be told if he is in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup plans.

That was the verdict said on talkSPORT’s Inside The Toon YouTube show this week as the winger continues to impress in a Newcastle shirt.

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The 28-year-old has 12 goals in 33 games in all competitions this season for the club, including five in the Champions League.

Barnes has played just 17 minutes of senior football for England in a friendly with Wales back in October 2020.

Neither Gareth Southgate nor his successor Tuchel have included Barnes in further Three Lions squads.

At this stage it looks unlikely that he will force his way into the reckoning for a spot in the final line-up.

But he could still be heading to the World Cup… in theory.

Barnes also qualifies for Scotland and as he has played just once in a friendly for England, meaning he is still able to switch his allegiance.

The Tartan Army are already headed to the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking on Inside The Toon, The Sun’s sports editor Shaun Custis said: “Harvey Barnes must be in a really interesting dilemma now, because he knows he could probably play for Scotland at the World Cup. 

“But he’s in such good form. Let’s be honest, he’s in better form than Bukayo Saka at Arsenal at the moment. He’s playing better.

“I’m not saying he would get Saka’s place in the starting line-up for England, but Tuchel must be starting to look at him and think, you know what?”

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He added: “Do you think he deserves the right to be able to ring Thomas Tuchel up and say, ‘look, am I in your plans?’

“At the age he is, it’s not the same as when you’re 20, 21 and you think, ‘I’ll wait to see’.

“Could he get an intermediary or whatever to say, ‘look, am I in your plans?'”

Barnes would likely be behind Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke in the pecking order for the right-side of a front three.

Meanwhile the likes of Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon have shared the left-side role.

Harvey Barnes and Scotland

Barnes left the door open for a possible place in the Scotland squad, should the opportunity arise.

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He said in December: “It’s not something I’ve really spoken about or put thought into recently.

“There’s always been talk about it and a while ago there was bits and bobs about it. But recently it’s not cropped up.

“It was great to see them win and get through last night, it was a crazy game, and I’m sure everyone in Scotland enjoyed themselves.

Barnes continued: “Is it closed off? No, of course it’s not.

“I’ve obviously played for England and I know the eligibility side of it is still there so it’s hard to say either way but there’s been no real chats or progression in that sense.”

talkSPORT Breakfast hosts Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor believe it is a ‘no-brainer’ decision for Barnes to choose Scotland.

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Stelling said: “This is almost a no-brainer from Harvey Barnes’ point of view. I just don’t see him getting into the England squad in the foreseeable future.

“Maybe he’s got that touch of arrogance about him that says that he will. For Scotland, it’s a real no-brainer, because he’s definitely good enough to be in that squad.”

Gabby Agbonlahor added: “I think the problem is this could be his last chance to maybe go to a World Cup? 

“Also look at the pecking order. We’ve got [Anthony] Gordon, [Marcus] Rashford, you’ve got [Eberechi] Eze. There’s not really that position available at the moment for him to break in.

“I would take that option. But I look at it from a Scotland point of view, and the players that have blood, sweat and tears to qualify for the World Cup. 

“Then a player we can’t get in the England squad comes along and says, ‘I’ll play for you in the World Cup’. How is that going to affect team morale?

“Maybe Steve Clarke would love him to come, but would it affect the squad now at Scotland?”