Thomas Tuchel’s Bold England Squad Selections: Rashford’s Return and New Faces
In a surprising turn of events, Thomas Tuchel has made waves with his first England squad selection, bringing back Marcus Rashford and introducing some fresh faces to the national team. This move has certainly caught the attention of football fans and pundits alike, as Tuchel looks to make his mark as Gareth Southgate’s successor.
Marcus Rashford, who is now 27, has been given a shock recall to the England squad. Rashford hasn’t donned the England jersey since March 2024, having fallen out of favor under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. However, a loan move to Aston Villa in January has seen him register three assists, catching Tuchel’s eye.
Tuchel, speaking to the Football Association’s website, expressed his admiration for Rashford’s recent performances. “He’s had a huge impact lately in the matches at Aston Villa,” Tuchel said. “I was delighted to see his effort on the ball and his effort to be the best teammate possible and his consistent energy. There is no doubt about his talent and about his quality, but to see him so decisive and so physically involved gave me the impression that it is the right moment to call him up and give him the extra push that he stays on that level.”
Tuchel’s 26-man squad also includes call-ups for Myles Lewis-Skelly, Dominic Solanke, and Dan Burn. Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old sensation from Arsenal, has bypassed the under-21 setup entirely to join the senior group. Tuchel admitted that there were discussions about whether to protect the young talent by keeping him in the under-21s, but ultimately, his quality and maturity earned him a spot in the senior squad.
Dominic Solanke, despite an injury-hit campaign at Tottenham, has been selected over Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Meanwhile, Dan Burn has been a key part of a Newcastle side pushing for a return to Champions League football. Tuchel sees both Burn and Jordan Henderson as influential figures in building a squad capable of winning next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tuchel explained, “For me, Jordan is a similar call-up for the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders and they carry their teams. It’s absolutely reliable what they bring in terms of energy and this is where the focus is also for us to build a strong team and a cohesive team. Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us.”
Notably absent from the squad is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is currently sidelined with an ankle problem. In his place, Reece James has been included despite making just 13 appearances for Chelsea due to persistent fitness problems. Tuchel, who has worked with James during his time as Chelsea boss, expressed confidence in James’s quality and capability.
Tuchel’s squad also features an inexperienced defensive unit, including Kyle Walker, now on loan at AC Milan, and young talents like Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, and Jarell Quansah. Notably missing are Harry Maguire, Ben White, and Jack Grealish, who have been regulars in previous squads.
As Tuchel prepares to lead England, he expressed his excitement about the opportunity to work with the players and implement his style of play. “I’m very excited now for training finally after so many months already in the job — it’s time to be back on the pitch and hug the players and push the players and implement a certain style of play and implement some rules and principles,” Tuchel explained. “I can’t wait for that. We are very excited to be in charge of a match at Wembley. It’s beyond what I could imagine from my career.”
Tuchel’s 26-man England Squad
- Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley)
- Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, 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, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Originally Written by: James Olley
