Tuchel talks squad announcement, World Cup qualifiers and first impressions

“We need to show our fans that we are ready to play as a brotherhood and as a group that loves to play with each other.”

The first words of head coach Thomas Tuchel as the 51 year old today names his first Three Lions squad for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia later this month.

After what he described as an ‘intense process’ – having officially taken up his new position on 1 January while travelling up and down the country to take in live football and see his players in action – Tuchel has named a 26-man squad for the Wembley double header.

And the England boss has outlined his priorities and key decision making as he looks to make his mark in his first outing next week.

First day for Thomas Tuchel at St. George's Park ✅ pic.twitter.com/dgKmX5AsqE

— England (@England) January 6, 2025

“When we can build this quickly, our fans will notice and this will give us the extra boost,” explained Tuchel. “The focus is not only on talent and not only on quality, it is what you bring to the group and how you be a good team-mate.”

Among the headlines from the announcement are first-ever senior call-ups for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle United’s Dan Burn who could make their debuts during the international window.

Lewis-Skelly – the teenager who has 26 appearances in all competition for the Gunners this season – has represented England at under-16s right through to the under-19s, making his debut for the MU19s in September last year.

“They’ve had very different pathways to the first call-up,” said Tuchel. “We accelerate Myles’ career again which is already on fast track. He’s a regular starter and a regular player for Arsenal at the moment. He’s nothing but impressive.

“He will now skip the under-21s which would be a regular pathway for him but due to injuries and due to the flexibility that we want to have in our squad and due to his capability, quality and game time recently, he deserves to be with us.”

Burn, on the other hand, has clocked over 100 senior appearances for his boyhood team, the Magpies, and it is his experience, both on and off the pitch, that caught Tuchel’s eye. And the Blyth-born defender will link up with his England team-mates following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

“He’s had a very impressive career and he’s a very solid player,” explained Tuchel. “He’s a very solid defender and a leader in the group.

“I have spoken to Dan and it was a very impressive phone call with very impressive messages that made me very comfortable in this call-up that we have picked a top team player that will help us build the right team.”

A third @PremierLeague game of the weekend for Thomas Tuchel 👍

The #ThreeLions head coach and his assistant Anthony Barry are at Anfield for @LFC v @ManUtd. pic.twitter.com/g2lX2shDnE

— England (@England) January 5, 2025

A player whose international career has spanned five major tournaments – with his first appearance on the big stage coming in EURO 2012 and his most recent involvement coming in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup – there is also a recall for Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson.

“I think his career and the way he plays now and imposes himself at Ajax is just so impressive,” continued Tuchel. “He builds on character, personality and energy that he brings to the team.

“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.”

A loan switch to Aston Villa earlier in the year has also paid dividends for Marcus Rashford, who, after missing out on a place in the EURO 2024 squad, is back in contention.

“He’s had a huge impact lately in the matches at Aston Villa,” said Tuchel. “I was delighted to see his effort on the ball and his effort to be the best team-mate 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 will be reunited with a familiar face at St. George’s Park as England captain Harry Kane featured in the head coach’s first line-up, with the pair having worked together at Bayern Munich last term.

“It's a pleasure to work with him,” said Tuchel. “We have a proven goal scorer at the highest level. He has the most caps and he has the most goals so he sets the records and sets the standards when it comes to that.

“We have a lot of expectations because we know him already. It will be a lot of extra responsibility on his shoulders but Harry is someone who proves that he can handle it. We’re happy to have him in good shape. It’s a clear choice.”

Another player Tuchel knows well is Chelsea’s Reece James, who could pull on an England shirt for the first time since March 2023.

The duo enjoyed plenty of success together at Stamford Bridge, winning the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup together at Chelsea and now, with the defender back to full fitness, Tuchel has the 25 year old at his disposal.

“Reece works very hard to be in shape,” commented Tuchel. “He is fully available. There is no doubt about Reece’s quality and capability and what he can bring to us but we want to be flexible and have a bit of a wider range and that’s why it was a pleasure to bring Reece back in.”

There is space for four goalkeepers in Tuchel’s first squad. Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson, Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale and Burnley’s James Trafford all feature with the quartet set to compete for that coveted place between the sticks. 

“These are the four goalkeepers that we think we can build our squad on,” added Tuchel. “We want to straightaway give the message that this is a new start for everyone. At the same time, we can see how they work together and how the energy is between them.”

The new head coach will step out at Wembley Stadium in his new role for the first time on Friday evening when England host Albania as they kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign on home soil with the Group K match-up pencilled for Friday 21 March (7.45pm GMT).

“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,” explained Tuchel.

“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.”