Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16

Tino Livramento Suffers Muscular Injury, Putting England's 2026 World Cup Role in Doubt

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16

Tino Livramento Suffers Muscular Injury, Putting England's 2026 World Cup Role in Doubt

Q: With England's defense in tatters, who will be the last-minute replacement to face Croatia in the World Cup opener?

Trevoh Chalobah is the likeliest last-minute replacement if Tino Livramento is ruled out, though his own fitness issue means England may instead solve the problem internally against Croatia. The immediate trigger is Livramento’s muscular injury in training, which has left England assessing whether to use FIFA’s rule allowing an injured player to be replaced up to 24 hours before the opening match. The reporting around the squad points most clearly to Chalobah, who is on the stand-by list and has been discussed as the natural external replacement. He is also known to Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea, which strengthens his case. The complication is that Chalobah is also reported to be carrying an ankle problem. If that prevents a call-up, England are more likely to reshuffle within the squad rather than bring in another defender at the last minute. In that scenario, Ezri Konsa looks the strongest option to start or cover at right-back because of his versatility, while Djed Spence is another in-squad alternative if fit enough after his own injury concern. Reece James remains a right-back option too, but he has also had recent hamstring issues. So the best answer is Chalobah as the probable replacement on paper, but if England decide they need someone ready immediately for Croatia, Konsa is the most credible in-house solution.

Q: Will Tino Livramento's World Cup-ending injury derail his rumoured £70 million transfer to Manchester City?

Probably not derail it outright, but it could delay or reduce the chances of Manchester City paying the full £70 million now. Livramento’s latest muscular injury comes at a bad time because it adds to an already worrying fitness record. He missed the final five weeks of Newcastle’s season with a thigh problem, had a serious ACL injury in 2022, and has had other setbacks affecting his availability. For any club considering a fee around £70 million, that history matters as much as his talent. The transfer risk is not really about City losing interest in the player. Reports around the deal suggest City remain strong admirers and see Livramento as a good tactical fit. The bigger issue is whether they would still commit to a record-level fee for a right-back when his medical profile is becoming a more serious concern. The searched reporting indicates those injury concerns have already created reservations in recruitment discussions, not only at City but elsewhere. Missing the World Cup also removes a major chance for Livramento to strengthen his market position. A strong tournament could have reinforced Newcastle’s valuation and pushed suitors to move quickly. Instead, City are more likely to proceed cautiously, reassess medical risk, or use the injury to negotiate a lower price. So the injury is more likely to complicate the transfer than kill it. If a move happens, it may come later, on different terms, or below Newcastle’s reported £70 million expectation.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16

England defender Tino Livramento is being assessed after suffering a muscular injury in training on Sunday, leaving his availability in doubt before Wednesday's World Cup opener against Croatia.
The 23-year-old had already faced fitness concerns after missing the final five weeks of Newcastle's season with a thigh injury, raising fresh uncertainty over England's right-back depth.
England can replace a seriously injured outfield player up to 24 hours before their first match, with standby defender Trevoh Chalobah a possible call-up if Livramento is ruled out.
Those concerns are sharpened by Reece James' own fitness questions after an injury-hit season, leaving Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa as other squad options at right-back.