Gareth Barry talks about Thomas Tuchel’s advice, England team choices, and the World Cup: ‘He’s definitely in the fight’
With 653 Premier League games and 53 appearances for England, Gareth Barry knows a thing or two about playing at the top level.
Barry, who once held the record for most Premier League matches until James Milner passed him in February, was chosen by eight different England managers over 12 years from 2000 to 2012. He even captained England once in 2010.
Though he didn’t enjoy big wins with England, Barry, who played for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, and West Brom, admitted there was a split in the England team that didn’t help. “In big games like Liverpool vs Chelsea or Manchester United, you could definitely feel a divide,” he said. “Players stuck with their club teammates, and that doesn’t work well for a national team.”
With just a month left before the 2026 World Cup, Barry believes England shouldn’t be scared of strong teams like France, Spain, or Portugal. On May 11, England will send FIFA a list of up to 55 players for the tournament, though it won’t be made public. But stars like Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, and Declan Rice are sure to be on it.
Some spots, especially in central midfield and the No.10 position, are still up for grabs. Players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Rogers are all fighting for those roles, with Morgan Gibbs-White, James Maddison, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also hoping for a chance.
When asked who should start against Croatia on June 17 in Texas, Barry told SPORTbible (speaking for Midnite), “I’d go with Declan Rice sitting deep. Morgan Rogers could be the No.10, and Bellingham playing as an 8, a box-to-box midfielder. He brings something special in big games and can make a difference. It’s always tough to leave Bellingham out right now.”
Of course, between now and then, players could lose form or get injured, opening the door for others. Barry praised Everton’s James Garner, who’s impressed since David Moyes took over in January 2025. “Garner has a good chance in the 26-man squad. The style is similar to Anderson’s, but I think Anderson has the edge because he’s played more qualifiers and has Tuchel’s trust. Still, if Garner finishes the season well, he could definitely make it.”
Barry also mentioned liking Adam Wharton’s style at Crystal Palace. He hoped Wharton would get more England minutes and encouraged him to finish the season strong, saying competition is tough.
Talking about his own England days, Barry shared how different it was playing under managers like Kevin Keegan, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Steve McClaren, and Fabio Capello. “Kevin Keegan was one of the most passionate managers I worked with. You could feel how much he cared about England. Foreign managers also want to win, but Keegan wore his heart on his sleeve from the day he picked me to the day he left.”
As for what Thomas Tuchel needs to do to bring success, Barry thinks it’s about putting players in the right positions, not just picking the most talented. “We have so many good players now. Tuchel’s job is to find the right players for the right roles. That’s the key to success this summer. It’ll be a big challenge.”
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