England fans are demanding Thomas Tuchel calls up an under-21 star following his stunning strike in tonight’s game.
England‘s senior side are facing Latvia at Wembley Stadium in their second World Cup qualifier of their campaign following last Friday’s match against Albania.
The Three Lions beat Albania 2-0 as Tuchel kicked off a new era with a victory.
The senior team aren’t the only England team in action tonight as Lee Carsley’s under-21s are facing Portugal at The Hawthorns, having been involved in the ‘most expensive youth game’ against France.
And the under-21s raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney opened the scoring before Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri doubled his team’s advantage.
Nwaneri, who made his England under-21 debut last week, was handed a start against Portugal and wasted no time in repaying his manager’s faith.
The 18-year-old cut onto his left foot before curling home a sensational strike into the back of the net.
Fans on social media reckon Tuchel should add the teenage phenom to his next squad.
One X user wrote: “Ethan Nwaneri playing with under 21 looks like 25 yr old playing with 16 yr old… Tuchel do your thing.”
A second added: “I will be there when Ethan Nwaneri gets his England call up.”
Ethan Nwaneri Should Not Be ‘Rushed’ into the England Squad
His club teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly is already in Tuchel’s plans, but former Arsenal great Martin Keown believes Nwaneri shouldn’t be rushed even though he’s in better form than Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
“I think we’ve got to do this slowly,” Keown explained.
“We don’t want to be pushing these players right the way through, but I’m not really seeing too many players [to get in front of Nwaneri].”
Ethan Nwaneri celebrates scoring a goal for England under-21. Image: Getty
Keown added: “I’m looking at Grealish not playing, Foden now not at his best – he’s still a great player of course.
“Looking around for other alternatives, I don’t think Nwaneri is a million miles away.
“It may be that he plays [Under] 21s football, he’s 17 years of age, so let’s not get carried away.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, England, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Fan Reactions
England Fans Urge Thomas Tuchel to Call Up Ethan Nwaneri After Spectacular Goal
Updated: 20:34 GMT 24 Mar 2025 | Published: 20:27 GMT 24 Mar 2025
Following a sensational wondergoal, England supporters are clamoring for Thomas Tuchel to promote a young under-21 talent to the senior squad.
As the England senior team continues their World Cup qualifying journey, currently facing Latvia at Wembley Stadium, all eyes have also been on the under-21s squad. Lee Carsley's young Lions are competing against Portugal at The Hawthorns, shortly after their high-profile match against France, dubbed the 'most expensive youth game'.
The England under-21s showcased their prowess early in the game against Portugal, surging to a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough initiated the scoring, quickly followed by a moment of brilliance from Arsenal's rising star, Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri, who recently earned his debut for the England under-21s, was given a starting position against Portugal and immediately vindicated his manager's decision. The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder demonstrated exceptional skill, cutting onto his favoured left foot before unleashing an unstoppable, curling shot into the back of the net. This stunning strike ignited social media, with fans instantly calling for senior team recognition.
Social media platforms buzzed with reactions to Nwaneri's goal, with fans believing England manager Thomas Tuchel should take note of the young prodigy's talent.
- One user on X exclaimed: "Ethan Nwaneri playing with under 21s looks like a seasoned professional amongst youngsters... Tuchel, it's time to act!"
- Another fan enthusiastically added: "Mark my words, I will be witnessing Ethan Nwaneri’s debut for the senior England team very soon!"
Debate Erupts: Is it Too Soon for Nwaneri in the Senior England Setup?
While the excitement around Ethan Nwaneri is growing, not everyone believes in a rushed promotion. Although his Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly is already on Tuchel's radar, football pundit and former Arsenal legend Martin Keown advises caution. Keown suggests a slower approach for Nwaneri's development, despite acknowledging his current form might even rival established players like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
Speaking to TalkSport, Keown stated: "I believe we need to manage expectations carefully with young talents like Nwaneri. We shouldn't accelerate their progression too rapidly. However, when assessing the current options, it’s hard to ignore his potential impact."
Ethan Nwaneri celebrates scoring a goal for England under-21. Image: Getty
Keown further elaborated on the current England squad dynamics: "Looking at players like Grealish not getting game time, and Foden, while still world-class, perhaps not in his absolute peak form currently, you start to consider alternatives. Nwaneri is arguably closer to challenging for a place than some might think."
"However," Keown concluded, "it’s crucial to remember he’s still only 18. Under-21 football is likely the ideal environment for his continued growth right now. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but the signs are incredibly promising."
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, England, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Fan Reactions
What do you think? Should Ethan Nwaneri be fast-tracked to the senior England squad, or should he continue to develop with the under-21s? Share your thoughts in the comments below!