Kyle Walker to start for England as Thomas Tuchel expected to play back four

Kyle Walker training with England — Thomas Tuchel clearly values Kyle Walker’s leadership - Getty Images/Eddie Keogh

Kyle Walker is expected to edge closer to winning his 100th England cap by starting in Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge against Albania on Friday night.

Tuchel delayed telling his squad the team for his first match in charge, but Walker is understood to be in line to start at right-back and win his 94th cap for his country.

The 34-year-old has suffered a challenging season, moving to AC Milan from Manchester City, but Tuchel clearly values his leadership.

Elsewhere, Marc Guehi may be a surprise absence, along with Levi Colwill, which could see Dan Burn make his England debut alongside Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.

Burn was a surprise inclusion in Tuchel’s squad, but the 32-year-old has performed superbly for Newcastle United this season and could win his first cap.

Tuchel is expected to start with a back four, rather than a three.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Topics

England squad: Three Lions vets Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson back; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish out

Thomas Tuchel's first England roster is not a complete revamp, with many old stalwarts still in trusted spots
CBS Sports - Mar. 14
Thomas Tuchel's England tactics: How might German's Three Lions play?

Before Thomas Tuchel's first game as England boss, BBC Sport tries to unpick - and predict - how his Three Lions side might play.
BBC News - 12h
Premier League intensity or caution - how will Tuchel's England play?

Before Thomas Tuchel's first game as England boss, BBC Sport tries to unpick - and predict - how his Three Lions side might play.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Thomas Tuchel shakes up England — Rashford, Henderson return; Burn, Lewis-Skelly among 4 uncapped

Thomas Tuchel's first England squad includes a mix of veterans and youth, with experienced players Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson handed routes back into the team.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Thomas Tuchel: perfectionist, workaholic, disciplinarian … winner

Those who have played under the England head coach describe an intense football obsessive who is never far from boiling point. With Thomas Tuchel, the devil is in the detail and it can often seem ...
The Guardian - 2d
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers using Tuchel's squad

Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?
BBC News - Mar. 14
Ten takeaways from Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad

There’s youth in Myles Lewis-Skelly and experience in Jordan Henderson, but worries remain about midfield and can the desired style of play work in high temperatures?. There is logic to Thomas ...
The Guardian - 6d
Thomas Tuchel eviscerates Gareth Southgate’s England

Thomas Tuchel has given a damning assessment of England’s performance at the European Championship last summer, saying they lacked “identity” and “hunger”.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
England need hunger to win not fear to lose - Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel says he wants the team to play with a "hunger to win" and not "a fear to lose" as he prepares for his first match in charge of the Three Lions on Friday.
BBC News - 1d
Thomas Tuchel defends ‘Dad’s Army’ England squad after shock Jordan Henderson recall

New England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his shock selection of Jordan Henderson and claimed the 34-year-old has a chance of making his World Cup squad. Henderson last played for England in ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
England Under Tuchel: Henderson’s Recall and the Shift Towards Stability

Tuchel’s First England Squad: Henderson Recall Signals Shift in ApproachTuchel’s Pragmatic Start to England ReignThere is an expectation that when a new manager takes charge, especially one with a...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Marcus Rashford returns as Thomas Tuchel names first England squad

Aston Villa forward Marcus Rashford named in Thomas Tuchel's first squad as England manager.
BBC News - Mar. 14
England vs Albania LIVE: Thomas Tuchel takes charge of first game and Morgan Rogers could start

The Three Lions begin their journey under Tuchel as qualifying for the 2026 World Cup gets underway
Yahoo Sports - 1h
Thomas Tuchel orders England players to talk more with each other on pitch

More communication wanted in difficult moments Tuchel shows squad Euro 2024 final interactions graph Thomas Tuchel has demanded that England’s players speak to one another more during difficult ...
The Guardian - 1d
“I was Surprised!” – Former England Star Reacts to Thomas Tuchel’s First Squad and Appointment

Former England Star Reacts to Thomas Tuchel’s ‘Surprising’ First England SquadWe’re now just days away from Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge of the England national team with his recent ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Tuchel says he wants to bring more ‘excitement and joy’ to England ahead of first game in charge

Thomas Tuchel says England played without an identity at Euro 2024 and looked scared of being knocked out of the tournament.Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time on Friday when they ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers

Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
The best England XI of players omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s first squad

Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad announcement has got fans talking. With the omission of in-form talents and recalls for ageing names, the German is already facing criticism in some ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Thomas Tuchel: I must earn the right to sing England’s national anthem

Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he will not sing the national anthem before his first matches as England head coach, claiming he must first earn the right to do so.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Thomas Tuchel: I will not get political like Gareth Southgate did

Thomas Tuchel says he does not intend to get involved in politics in his role as England’s new head coach.
Yahoo Sports - 20h
Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah selected No place for Grealish, Gibbs-White or Gallagher Thomas Tuchel has named Marcus Rashford in his first England squad, bringing the Aston Villa ...
The Guardian - Mar. 14
Mikel Arteta defends ‘brave’ White for England snub during Southgate reign

Defender has not played for country since 2022 White now back in frame under Thomas Tuchel Mikel Arteta has defended Ben White’s “brave” decision to make himself unavailable for England under ...
The Guardian - 6d
England vs Albania prediction: Harry Kane to earn victory for Thomas Tuchel in first match

Read our free football betting tips ahead of England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel – a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Kane excited by England reunion with Tuchel

Harry Kane has said he is excited to reunite with former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel with England.Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time when the Three Lions begin their 2026 ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Henderson 'embodies everything' Tuchel wants to build with England

Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson "embodies everything" new England manager Thomas Tuchel aims to achieve after being recalled to the national side.
BBC News - Mar. 14
'Complicated and confrontational' - essential read on England boss Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has been set the challenge of winning the World Cup in 2026. BBC Sport finds out what it is like working with England's new boss.
BBC News - 1d
“Prove the point” – Tuchel disagrees with Maresca over positional change as he sends warning to James

Thomas Tuchel stated he sees Reece James as a fullback rather than a midfielder, although warned he has to prove he’s fit enough to play there.James was named in Tuchel’s first England squad for t...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Tuchel news conference before his first England match - watch & latest

England manager Thomas Tuchel to speak before the first World Cup qualifying match against Albania on Friday.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
From bartender to England boss - Rangnick reflects on Tuchel's journey

Ex-Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger meets former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick to learn more about new England manager Thomas Tuchel.
BBC News - 1d
“It’s not ideal he’s in newspapers” – Thomas Tuchel explains Jack Grealish absence from England World Cup Qualifiers Squad

Thomas Tuchel has pointed to the noise around Jack Grealish off the pitch to explain the Manchester City forward’s exclusion from England’s World Cup qualifiers squad.Grealish was snubbed by Garet...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Tuchel wants an England ‘brotherhood’ as Rashford and Henderson return: football – as it happened

Thomas Tuchel announces his first England squad, plus Carabao Cup, Women’s League Cup and Premier League press conferences … David Hytner runs the rule over Tuchel’s picks Thomas Tuchel’s ...
The Guardian - Mar. 14
Preview: Tuchel’s first England lineup hints at bold tactical shift

England Predicted Lineup vs Albania: Tuchel Era Begins at WembleyThe Thomas Tuchel era begins with a sense of anticipation and curiosity as England prepare to face Albania in their opening 2026 ...
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Rashford to earn England recall in Tuchel’s first squad

Marcus Rashford is set to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, which will be announced this morning.Rashford has not featured for the national team since March 2024 but is set to be ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Foden named in first Tuchel England squad

Phil Foden has been named in new England manager Thomas Tuchel's first squadThe City playmaker is the only representative from the Club to be included, with Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis missing ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Rashford returns in Tuchel's first England squad

Thomas Tuchel has handed Marcus Rashford a shock recall in his first England squad, which also includes call-ups for Myles Lewis-Skelly, Dominic Solanke and Dan Burn.
ESPN - 6d
Tuchel's 'aura' can inspire England: Rogers

Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers says Thomas Tuchel's special "aura" can inspire England's bid to win the World Cup."Winning the World Cup is the only goal, he was very clear and transparent with ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Tuchel: England were afraid to lose at Euro 2024

Thomas Tuchel has said he believes England struggled to produce consistent performances at Euro 2024 as the players were more afraid of being knocked out of the tournament than they were focused to ...
ESPN - 18h
Watch live: New England manager Thomas Tuchel holds press conference after announcing first Three Lions squad

Watch live as new England manager Thomas Tuchel holds a press conference on Friday (14 March) after announcing his first Three Lions squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Is England v Albania on TV? How to watch Thomas Tuchel’s first match as World Cup qualifying begins

England kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign as Tuchel takes charge at Wembley
Yahoo Sports - 1h

More from Yahoo Sports

Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round

It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.
Yahoo Sports - 19m
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change

Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.
Yahoo Sports - 21m
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?

It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.
Yahoo Sports - 21m
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win

Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...
Yahoo Sports - 22m
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup

Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...
Yahoo Sports - 26m