ShareHarvey Barnes could have been heading north for this month’s international break. He might have been preparing to make his Scotland debut at Hampden Park having been wooed by Steve Clarke following a years-long pursuit. Instead, Barnes will be at Wembley Stadium on Friday as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.By Graham RuthvenInitially left out of the 35-man squad for the matches against Uruguay and Japan, Barnes was called up after Eberechi Eze’s withdrawal due to injury. Now, the 28-year-old will have the opportunity to prove he deserves a place in Tuchel’s final 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. Scotland’s loss could be England’s gain.Barnes has been in exceptional form for Newcastle this season. Many fans in the North East believe the winger has been their most consistent performer for a number of months, as illustrated by Barnes’ return of five goal contributions in his last 10 matches for the Magpies in all competitions.Barnes’ season summaryOnly Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade have a higher Expected Goals (xG) than Barnes within the Newcastle squad this season with the 28-year-old averaging a team-high 2.7 shots per match. At a time when Eddie Howe has chopped and changed his forward line regularly, Barnes has remained a consistent threat.It’s unsurprising Tuchel’s eye has been caught by the Newcastle winger who could force his way into the reckoning to feature for England on the left side at this summer’s World Cup. While competition within the squad is stiff, there is a question mark over that particular part of Tuchel’s team as the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada gets closer.Barnes’ shooting numbers in the Premier League this seasonTuchel has started three different wingers on the left side in England’s last three matches. Eze, Gordon and Marcus Rashford have all been given a chance to prove themselves in the position with varying degrees of success. Barnes could stake a claim by performing well against Uruguay and Japan.By calling up 35 players for the March camp, Tuchel is clearly intent on casting an eye over as many players as possible before selecting his World Cup squad. There is plenty to occupy the mind of the German coach. England boast one of the deepest squads in the international game, but that could give Tuchel a selection headache.Barnes’ passing numbers in the Champions League this seasonDan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Fikayo Tomori are all vying to start for The Three Lions in central defence while the left back position appears to be a straight fight between Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly. At right back, Tino Livramento could have the chance to make a case for himself with Reece James currently injured.In midfield, Adam Wharton and James Garner could have the opportunity to earn a starting spot next to Declan Rice in the centre of the pitch while Jarrod Bowen, Noni Madueke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke are among those who must make a good impression on Tuchel to secure a place in England’s attacking group. The next two matches might be the final audition.The road testing could extend to the left wing. Rashford has enjoyed a resurgence on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United this season, but hasn’t registered a goal contribution in any of his last seven games in all competitions. The 28-year-old is currently a peripheral figure for the Catalans. His primary role is as an impact sub off the bench.England’s pre-World Cup scheduleGordon is part of Tuchel’s left wing rotation, but went over a year without scoring an open play goal in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Eze is most comfortable in a number 10 position. Even when the Arsenal attacker is deployed on the left side, he has the natural instinct to cut inside.Barnes would give England verticality. The 28-year-old plays with an irrepressible willingness to push forward into the opposition box and frequently has the composure to find the back of the net when he gets there. Barnes could give The Three Lions a different dimension should he do enough to make their World Cup squad.It’s been a long road for Barnes to reach this point in his career. The winger has already been capped for England, but that one appearance for the national team came all the way back in 2020. From loan spells at MK Dons and Barnsley to Leicester City and Newcastle United, Barnes has had to prove himself every step of the way.Even at Newcastle after making a £38m transfer from Leicester three years ago, Barnes has had to be patient. It’s only now that he is establishing himself as one of the Magpies’ most important players. He could now do something similar for England having waited years, and rejected the interest of another nation, for another opportunity.(Images from IMAGO)You can follow every England game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Harvey Barnes could have been heading north for this month’s international break. He might have been preparing to make his Scotland debut at Hampden Park having been wooed by Steve Clarke following a years-long pursuit. Instead, Barnes will be at Wembley Stadium on Friday as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.By Graham RuthvenInitially left out of the 35-man squad for the matches against Uruguay and Japan, Barnes was called up after Eberechi Eze’s withdrawal due to injury. Now, the 28-year-old will have the opportunity to prove he deserves a place in Tuchel’s final 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. Scotland’s loss could be England’s gain.Barnes has been in exceptional form for Newcastle this season. Many fans in the North East believe the winger has been their most consistent performer for a number of months, as illustrated by Barnes’ return of five goal contributions in his last 10 matches for the Magpies in all competitions.Barnes’ season summaryOnly Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade have a higher Expected Goals (xG) than Barnes within the Newcastle squad this season with the 28-year-old averaging a team-high 2.7 shots per match. At a time when Eddie Howe has chopped and changed his forward line regularly, Barnes has remained a consistent threat.It’s unsurprising Tuchel’s eye has been caught by the Newcastle winger who could force his way into the reckoning to feature for England on the left side at this summer’s World Cup. While competition within the squad is stiff, there is a question mark over that particular part of Tuchel’s team as the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada gets closer.Barnes’ shooting numbers in the Premier League this seasonTuchel has started three different wingers on the left side in England’s last three matches. Eze, Gordon and Marcus Rashford have all been given a chance to prove themselves in the position with varying degrees of success. Barnes could stake a claim by performing well against Uruguay and Japan.By calling up 35 players for the March camp, Tuchel is clearly intent on casting an eye over as many players as possible before selecting his World Cup squad. There is plenty to occupy the mind of the German coach. England boast one of the deepest squads in the international game, but that could give Tuchel a selection headache.Barnes’ passing numbers in the Champions League this seasonDan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Fikayo Tomori are all vying to start for The Three Lions in central defence while the left back position appears to be a straight fight between Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly. At right back, Tino Livramento could have the chance to make a case for himself with Reece James currently injured.In midfield, Adam Wharton and James Garner could have the opportunity to earn a starting spot next to Declan Rice in the centre of the pitch while Jarrod Bowen, Noni Madueke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke are among those who must make a good impression on Tuchel to secure a place in England’s attacking group. The next two matches might be the final audition.The road testing could extend to the left wing. Rashford has enjoyed a resurgence on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United this season, but hasn’t registered a goal contribution in any of his last seven games in all competitions. The 28-year-old is currently a peripheral figure for the Catalans. His primary role is as an impact sub off the bench.England’s pre-World Cup scheduleGordon is part of Tuchel’s left wing rotation, but went over a year without scoring an open play goal in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Eze is most comfortable in a number 10 position. Even when the Arsenal attacker is deployed on the left side, he has the natural instinct to cut inside.Barnes would give England verticality. The 28-year-old plays with an irrepressible willingness to push forward into the opposition box and frequently has the composure to find the back of the net when he gets there. Barnes could give The Three Lions a different dimension should he do enough to make their World Cup squad.It’s been a long road for Barnes to reach this point in his career. The winger has already been capped for England, but that one appearance for the national team came all the way back in 2020. From loan spells at MK Dons and Barnsley to Leicester City and Newcastle United, Barnes has had to prove himself every step of the way.Even at Newcastle after making a £38m transfer from Leicester three years ago, Barnes has had to be patient. It’s only now that he is establishing himself as one of the Magpies’ most important players. He could now do something similar for England having waited years, and rejected the interest of another nation, for another opportunity.(Images from IMAGO)You can follow every England game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.