Thomas Tuchel's first England squad selection reveals a manager focused on immediate results, with an eye firmly fixed on the 2026 World Cup. The German coach has made several surprising choices that signal his intention to build a physically imposing team with strong leadership qualities.
Tuchel, who succeeded Gareth Southgate as England manager, has recalled 34-year-old Jordan Henderson, describing him as a "serial winner." Henderson last played for England in November 2023 and was left out of Southgate's Euro 2024 squad. His return indicates Tuchel's preference for experienced players who can deliver right away.
"What he brings every time is leadership, character, personality and energy," Tuchel said of Henderson. "He makes sure everyone lives by the standards and with character. He embodies everything we are trying to build."
Perhaps the most unexpected selection is 32-year-old Newcastle United defender Dan Burn, who stands at an imposing 6 feet 7 inches. If Burn makes his debut, he would become the oldest player to win his first England cap since Kevin Davies made his debut against Montenegro in October 2010 at 33 years and 200 days.
Marcus Rashford also returns to the England fold after being left out of the Euro 2024 squad. His impressive loan spell at Aston Villa has caught Tuchel's attention, with the manager stating: "I had a strong feeling we should nominate him, to push him to stay at the level he is at now not fall back into old routines."
While there are nods to youth with the inclusion of 18-year-old Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly and 22-year-old Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, the squad has a distinctly experienced feel. In fact, Tuchel's squad has 664 total caps compared to 627 in former interim boss Lee Carsley's last selection.
Tuchel has made no secret of his desire to incorporate physical strength into England's play. Beyond Burn's towering presence, he's selected players like Morgan Rogers who combines "raw power with natural skill and strong running" and Reece James, who blends "physical strength with great ability."
When asked if a lack of physicality had cost England in previous tournaments, Tuchel responded: "I don't think a lot is missing. Obviously a little bit is because we lost consecutive Euros finals and World Cup semi-final and quarter-finals. The feeling is a little step is needed to bring it over the line."
Not everyone will be pleased with Tuchel's selections. Nottingham Forest fans might feel aggrieved that Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi were overlooked despite their contributions to Forest's impressive push for a Champions League spot. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who earned a cap under Southgate, has also been left out despite strong performances under David Moyes.
In his media appearance, Tuchel appeared confident and comfortable in his new role, speaking about "building a brotherhood" in his England squad and taking "a parental vibe" with younger players like Lewis-Skelly. He admitted he was "missing the smell of the grass" and eager to begin working with his players on the training ground.
Tuchel's appointment has always seemed like an 18-month job focused entirely on winning the World Cup rather than a long-term project. The Football Association faced some criticism for overlooking English candidates like Eddie Howe, but their strategy is clear: they want immediate success, and Tuchel's track record at clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich suggests he can deliver.
With World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley on March 21 and March 24 respectively, Tuchel's England journey is about to begin in earnest. His first squad selection has made one thing abundantly clear: this is a manager who is here to win now, not to build for the future.
