Marc Guehi has withdrawn from England's upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures after the Manchester City defender complained of a hip issue in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Guehi was withdrawn at half-time during the Premier League fixture at the City Ground as he lamented a hip injury which had been troubling him for several weeks.
The 26-year-old has been a mainstay for the Three Lions under Tuchel and started in all but one of England's World Cup fixtures.
Tuchel's other recognised centre-back options include Ezri Konsa, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah, while Ben White rose to prominence as a central defender with Brighton and Leeds United before Mikel Arteta transitioned him to right-back.
With Guehi set to undergo a scan to learn the severity of the issue, Thomas Tuchel was left to find an alternative in his absence.
The German selected Newcastle United's Dan Burn - when it should have been Bournemouth ace James Hill.
Why James Hill deserves England shot
At the heart of Bournemouth's surge up the Premier League standings and impressive showings in the UEFA Europa League is Hill, who's forged a flourishing partnership alongside summer recruit Antonio Silva.
Marco Rose's tenure began with a six-match winless run, but since a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Chelsea, the Cherries have been imperious - and Hill's marshalled an impenetrable backline. Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has faced the second-fewest shots, and the Cherries boast the third-best xG conceded.
While the relentless energy and calculated pressing by their forwards takes the plaudits, Bournemouth's compact defensive line deserves to be praised.
Prior to the 3-1 win over Sparta Praha, Bournemouth recorded six clean sheets in succession, of which Hill featured in all except for the EFL Cup triumph over Aston Villa. He was a domineering figure in the 2-0 success over Leeds United, neutralising the threat of a tricky customer in Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
In the Premier League, Hill ranks top among central defenders for duels won and defensive contributions. He features in the top five per cent of centre-backs for aerial duels won (40) and completed tackles (25), while ranking in the top 10 per cent of his positional peers for interceptions (17) and clearances (64).
On the ball he's sublime, demonstrating accuracy with long passes and decisiveness to play through the lines. According to Fotmob, he's yet to be dispossessed.
Hill's performances this term have proven that he's exceptional breakthrough under Andoni Iraola last season was no accident.
The Bristol-born defender first made headlines when he became Fleetwood Town's youngest player at the age of 16. Three years later he was watched by a Barcelona scout at Highbury in a League One defeat to Burton Albion.
Swathes of clubs were monitoring Hill, but it was Bournemouth who acted first, prising him for £1.2m in 2022. Although he's now the fifth-longest serving Cherries player, the centre-back only made 16 appearances for the Dorset club before Iraola selected Hill against Chelsea in December, having spent time on loan at Hearts in the Scottish Premiership and Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
The 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge was an opportunity Hill grasped with both hands. After that he started every Premier League fixture alongside Marcos Senesi, helping Bournemouth to achieve European qualification for the first time.
Senesi's departure in the summer raised questions as to whether Hill would be able to sustain his level of performance without his Argentine accomplice. Alongside Silva, he's answered those concerns emphatically.
Hill was named in England's 55-man long list after impressing Tuchel during Bournemouth's run of seven straight wins, but he ultimately didn't make the final cut.
Yes, Tuchel trusts Burn. He proved a reliable liutenant during the World Cup campaign. But there's every chance Hill is the future of this England team, and his omission is a glaring error.
