Tuchel Names First England Squad: Rashford and Henderson Recalled

Thomas Tuchel reveals his first England squad, recalling Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson. The squad includes Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Ollie Watkins and Trent Alexander-Arnold are absent due to injury. Tuchel emphasizes Henderson’s importance and the squad’s blend of youth and experience. England prepares for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

The new England coach, Thomas Tuchel, has made headlines with his inaugural squad announcement, recalling striker Marcus Rashford and midfielder Jordan Henderson. Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has not played for England since March 2022, while Henderson, who last featured in November 2023, has been a sporadic starter for Ajax Amsterdam. Tuchel, appointed as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October, will lead the team in World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

Two players may earn their first caps in this squad: Newcastle United’s Dan Burn and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold have been excluded from the squad due to injuries. Additionally, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was not selected despite his recent excellent form.

While Rashford’s selection was somewhat anticipated due to his stellar performance at Aston Villa, Henderson’s return is a surprising development. Tuchel expressed admiration for Henderson’s character and impact at Ajax, emphasizing his vital role within the team dynamic. Tuchel stated, “Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old talent, has made an impression in his debut season at Arsenal, while the experienced Dan Burn has solidified his place at Newcastle with consistent performances. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised Burn’s journey as an inspiring narrative of perseverance and dedication, acknowledging his contributions and leadership qualities.

Tuchel has also included Reece James, a former Chelsea player who last played for England in March 2023. England will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign at Wembley against Albania, followed by a match against Latvia on March 24.

The squad comprises:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, on loan from Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, on loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).

In summary, Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad sees Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson making notable comebacks. The inclusion of Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly highlights Tuchel’s strategy to blend experienced players with emerging talents. With crucial World Cup qualifiers approaching, Tuchel’s choices reflect both bold decisions and a commitment to character-driven football. The team’s focus going forward will be on building synergy and capitalizing on individual strengths to succeed in the upcoming matches.

Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com