England's Tuchel calls up Chalobah – Livramento ruled out of World Cup with muscle injury

Injury and return journey

Instead of traveling to the match against Croatia, Livramento is flying back to the USA – more precisely, to the temporarily abandoned England camp in Kansas City. From there, he will then continue on to his club Newcastle United in order to receive treatment back home.

The late call-up of Chalobah is also significant for the England squad because Tuchel had already done without prominent names when originally trimming the squad to 26 players – including Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid. With Chalobah, an centre-back and full-back who is very familiar to Tuchel from his time in the English Premier League, is now coming in.

Squad planning under pressure

For the "Three Lions" defence, the loss is a painful blow. Livramento had established himself at Newcastle in recent months as a versatile full-back and was considered an important option on the left side. Tuchel must now reshuffle and possibly fall back on other players – such as the natural right-back, who, according to the available information, would also not be an alternative on Livramento's position in the event of an absence.

Chalobah himself is familiar with the situation of entering a major tournament under pressure. The Chelsea professional has Premier League experience and has proven in the past that he can take responsibility in decisive phases. Tuchel is thus counting on a player who is thoroughly familiar with English club football.

Opener against Croatia

The personnel issue also throws a spotlight on Tuchel's squad planning, as he had made some surprising decisions before the tournament. With the omission of Alexander-Arnold, the German coach had sparked discussion. Now, shortly before the first match, he must improvise once again.

England faces Croatia in the opening match, an opponent who has always been good for a surprise at past tournaments. The starting position for Tuchel and his team is therefore challenging not only in sporting terms, but also in personnel. With Chalobah, at least, an experienced replacement is available who is expected to close the gap in defence.

Whether Livramento can still play a role in the further course of the tournament remains open. A muscle injury can, depending on its severity, mean an absence of several weeks. The defender will first be examined in Newcastle before a prognosis about his return is possible.

For Tuchel and the England team, the tournament therefore begins under unfavourable conditions. Squad planning has been thrown into disarray by Livramento's absence, while the sporting encounter with Croatia is drawing ever closer. On Wednesday evening, the "Three Lions" defence will have to make do without the full-back originally planned for.