Thomas Tuchel has just thrown a grenade into English football and walked away calmly.

By publicly admitting that several defenders — including Trevoh Chalobah — are ahead of Harry Maguire in his plans, the England manager has reignited one of the most divisive arguments in recent Three Lions history. And this time, it has a new twist.

Because here is the uncomfortable question nobody wants to answer honestly:

Is Trevoh Chalobah actually better than Harry Maguire right now?

The case against Maguire writes itself. The memes. The high defensive line disasters. The Champions League nights that aged him five years in ninety minutes.

But flip it around.

Under Michael Carrick at Manchester United, Maguire has looked like a completely different player. He scored the winner against Liverpool at Anfield. He won Man of the Match against Arsenal. He started every game in United's unbeaten Premier League run from January to March. The man that England fans wrote off has quietly rebuilt his reputation at club level — and Tuchel is apparently not watching.

Chalobah has potential. Nobody disputes that. But he has not been tested at the level Maguire has repeatedly performed at this season.

So is Tuchel making a bold, forward-thinking decision — or is he ignoring a defender who is currently in the form of his life?

Both sides of this argument have a point. And that is exactly what makes it dangerous.