England Squad Update: Tuchel Announces Team Changes for Latvia Qualifier
England’s new head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has reportedly made his first significant squad decisions, leaving two players out of the lineup for Monday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia at Wembley Stadium. This marks Tuchel’s second game in charge of the Three Lions as they continue their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel, the 51-year-old German tactician, oversaw a comfortable 2-0 victory against Albania in his debut match on Friday night. Young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly and star striker Harry Kane were the goalscorers in that relatively straightforward win. However, for the upcoming fixture against Latvia, Tuchel is set to shuffle his pack, reflecting his desire to assess different player combinations early in his England tenure.
In the previous game against Albania, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah were the two players who missed out on the 23-man matchday squad. However, according to reports from BBC Sport, both Gibbs-White and Quansah are expected to return to contention and could feature in the match against Latvia. This suggests Tuchel is rotating his squad to give opportunities to a wider pool of players and evaluate his options ahead of future international fixtures.
Unfortunately for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, his involvement this evening is ruled out. Gordon, who came on as a substitute in the second half against Albania, appeared to pick up an injury in the closing stages of the game. As a result, he has returned to his club for assessment and treatment, making him unavailable for selection against Latvia. This injury setback is a blow for Gordon, who was hoping to impress the new England manager and stake his claim for a regular place in the squad.
Adding to the changes, Gordon’s Newcastle teammate, Tino Livramento, who was part of the 23-man squad for the Albania victory, will also miss out on tonight’s game. Furthermore, Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale continues to find himself outside the matchday squad, missing out for the second consecutive fixture under Tuchel. Ramsdale’s absence indicates that he is currently behind other goalkeeping options in Tuchel’s pecking order.
Livramento’s exclusion is particularly noteworthy as it opens the door for Myles Lewis-Skelly to potentially retain his starting position at left-back. Lewis-Skelly impressed on his England debut against Albania, and his continued presence in the lineup suggests Tuchel is keen to see more of the young defender and assess his capabilities at the international level. His performance against Latvia will be closely watched as he aims to solidify his place in the England setup.
Tino Livramento will miss out this evening (Credit:Getty)
Tuchel’s Rationale: Building the Right England Team for World Cup Success
Speaking about his squad selection process, Tuchel emphasized the importance of team cohesion over individual talent. “We have to get the process right to find the best group,” Tuchel stated. “If that means we leave very good and talented players out of the squad this can happen. In the next 16 months it is important we find the right team and not the most talented 26 players.”
He further elaborated on the difference between qualification matches and major tournaments, highlighting the need for a strong team spirit. “We need to get the team right. We need to get the team spirit right because it’s one thing to play qualifiers, it’s another thing to play tournament football.” Tuchel’s comments underscore his focus on building a balanced and resilient squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Tonight’s game against Latvia represents Tuchel’s final opportunity to assess his England squad for an extended period, as the Three Lions will not play again for 75 days. Their next scheduled fixture is against Andorra on June 7th, followed by a friendly match against Senegal three days later. With the 2026 World Cup still over a year away, the composition of the England squad is likely to evolve. However, players will be eager to seize every opportunity to impress Tuchel during these early stages of his tenure and secure their place for future international competitions.
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