England head coach Thomas Tuchel has never shied away from making bold decisions, and his recent World Cup squad selection is no exception. Just like the many fans of Gamblizard, the German has taken a gamble with some of his choices, to the outrage of many England fans on social media.
Whether it's leaving Jude Bellingham out of the squad in previous international breaks or publicly commenting that Harry Maguire was only fifth choice in central defence, Tuchel has proven himself to be able to rise above the noise.
Tuchel's confidence in his selection is unwavering. He believes in having specialists for all kinds of different scenarios - when leading, when chasing a game, or any other number of situations. He wants England to be a strong set-piece team and a strong penalty team, and he has selected specialists for these roles, which makes sense as success at international tournaments often hinges on such skills.
However, there is no denying that Tuchel's squad selection involves a heavy element of a gambler's roll of the dice, with surprises in almost every position.
One of the most surprising inclusions in the squad is Ivan Toney, who returns after a year out. Toney's return is a remarkable act of faith on Tuchel's part and a condemnation of others who had claims on being Harry Kane's understudy.
Toney's selection raises questions about England and Tuchel's biggest fear – how can they cope should misfortune befall record goalscorer, Kane? Toney's selection also raises questions about why Tuchel left his selection until now after trying Dominic Calvert-Lewin and ignoring the claims of Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck.
England's midfield boasts great talent, but there are questions about whether Tuchel could have made room for one more creator rather than picking two understudies for Harry Kane and several more workmanlike players.
Tuchel's squad includes a significant number of young players who have won titles with the under-21s, such as Kobbie Mainoo and Nico O'Reilly. However, there was a strong case for either Adam Wharton or Morgan Gibbs-White to make the squad in midfield.
Tuchel's defensive selection will come under serious scrutiny. John Stones, on sheer class and ability alone, would usually start England's first game at the World Cup, but his selection is high-risk based on his recent fitness record.
Reece James will be the first choice right-back, but he has had hamstring troubles again recently. The inclusion of Newcastle United's Dan Burn is another Tuchel gut feeling that may be one too many.
Tuchel's squad selection is a gamble, and the stakes on whether he wins or loses are huge. His conviction in his principles and his willingness to take risks have positioned him as a unique figure in England's football landscape.
As the World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Tuchel and his squad. Will his gambles pay off, or will they backfire? Only time will tell.
