Tuchel era to begin with questions amid regressive squad selection
There has often been no way to win – metaphorically and literally – as an England manager.
Just minutes after the announcement of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad, social media was a whirl of complaints and critics.
The German will officially begin his tenure when England face Albania and Latvia in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With all due respect, England should have enough to overcome that opposition regardless of squad selection. That, however, will not prevent the inquest into Tuchel’s first group.
It’s time to reveal Thomas Tuchel’s first #ThreeLions squad! 👀🏴
— England (@England) March 14, 2025
One of the big talking points is the return of Jordan Henderson. The midfielder has been a semi-regular in an Ajax side who boast an eight-point lead in the Eredivisie but has not been capped since November 2023.
An occasionally divisive selection at his best, his return is the first of a regressive feel in areas of Tuchel’s first squad. Tuchel said he believes Henderson can be “a big piece in the puzzle” as he seeks to build his new England team. He will turn 36 during the next major tournament.
Kyle Walker, who like Henderson is approaching his 35th birthday, is also back. The defender joined AC Milan on loan in January with signs that his get-out-of-jail acceleration had slowed somewhat over the first half of the season. The inclusion of a player who has contemplated international retirement on several occasions in recent years hardly screams of an exciting new era.
Among those who can feel most hard done by are Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarrad Branthwaite. The former has been a driving force in Nottingham Forest’s surprise chase for Champions League qualification and a regular in recent squads. He has the advantage of form and rhythm over some of those selected, even given competition from Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer for his preferred place in the side. There is little more he can do.
Branthwaite’s case is a curious one. He’s earned just one England cap, despite Everton demanding close to a world-record price tag amid interest in his services last summer. A commanding presence in Everton’s upturn under David Moyes, his omission behind the uncapped 32-year-old Dan Burn and Liverpool youngster Jarrel Quansah – limited to 287 minutes this season – is puzzling.
Gibbs-White and Branthwaite are not alone. Adam Wharton. Liam Delap. Callum Hudson-Odoi. Jamie Gittens. Ethan Nwaneri. The list is a long one. England’s abundance of talent is obvious, but each of those names can feel aggrieved to have been overlooked.
Now is not the time to criticise Tuchel, with England yet to kick a ball under his management. But should England underwhelm later this month, the critics will be out in full force. Perhaps it is the case with every squad announcement, but this feels like Tuchel has made a rod for his own back. A strong start is imperative.
Read – The oldest England debutants this century as Dan Burn earns first call-up
See more – Tuchel names first England squad with two new faces
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