Thomas Tuchel’s First England Squad Selection: World Cup Qualifier vs Albania
Excitement builds as Thomas Tuchel prepares for his inaugural match as England manager against Albania this Friday evening in a highly anticipated World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium. Having officially taken the reins from Gareth Southgate in January, following an agreement last October, Tuchel’s first squad announcement has revealed some interesting decisions and set the stage for his England debut.
Tuchel immediately stamped his authority on the national team by recalling experienced players and introducing fresh faces. The England squad sees the return of seasoned internationals such as Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, and Reece James. Notably, Tuchel has also handed first-time call-ups to Dan Burn and young prospect Myles-Lewis Skelly, signaling a blend of experience and youth in his approach.
Initially naming a 26-man squad, Tuchel was forced into a late change due to Cole Palmer’s fitness concerns. Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest received a late call-up as Palmer’s replacement, showcasing the depth Tuchel is aiming for, even if initially overlooked.
However, UEFA regulations stipulate a matchday squad limit of 23 players for international fixtures. This meant Tuchel had the difficult task of omitting three players from his selection for the Albania game.
According to reputable BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, the unlucky trio to miss out on Tuchel’s first England matchday squad are Morgan Gibbs-White, Jarell Quansah, and Aaron Ramsdale. These players will watch the Albania clash from the stands, hoping to break into the final 23 for the subsequent match against Latvia on Monday.
England’s 23-Man Squad for Albania World Cup Qualifier: Full List
Here is the confirmed 23-man England squad selected by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup qualifier against Albania:
- Goalkeepers:
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- 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)
- Kyle Walker (AC Milan, on loan from Manchester City)
- Midfielders:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
- Jordan Henderson (Ajax)
- Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
- 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)
While starting lineup details remain closely guarded, key players Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice are widely expected to be in Tuchel’s starting XI as England aims for a strong start in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Although Tuchel has remained tight-lipped about his tactical system for England, Sky Sports reports suggest he is likely to employ a back four for his first game in charge. This contrasts with his previous successes utilizing a back three formation, most notably when he led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021. The football world is eager to see how Tuchel’s tactical approach will translate to the international stage with England.
Intriguingly, just hours before his England debut, Tuchel appeared to subtly criticize Gareth Southgate’s tactics during Euro 2024. Speaking to ITV, Tuchel suggested England at Euro 2024, where they reached the final but lost to Spain, played with “more fear of losing than hunger to win,” hinting at a potentially different, more attacking and expressive philosophy he intends to implement with the national team. He further stated that he felt the team lacked a consistent playing style and freedom of expression under the previous regime.
Don’t miss Thomas Tuchel’s debut as England manager! Tune in Friday evening to see how his new squad performs against Albania in this crucial World Cup qualifier.
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