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 November 2023 and is not even a regular starter for Ajax. The former Liverpool midfielder, whose move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 was mutually terminated after just a few months, was also joined by Marcus Rashford in Tuchel’s first squad as England manager.
Tuchel said: “Everyone who is with us on this journey and in this first camp is a contender for the World Cup. Every player is part of this first step. At the same time, it’s only the first step so the nomination is not the nomination for America. We had tough decisions to take and we didn’t make it easy for ourselves. We waited very long until Champions League games were over until we took our last decisions. It is important to be in the first camp and if you are in the first camp, you are in the first step of the journey.”
Defending his selection and saying Henderson is a “serial winner”, Tuchel added: “He is captain of Ajax. He is available and has played a lot of matches. What he brings to every team is leadership, character, personality, energy.
“He makes sure that everyone lives by standards and with this characteristic he embodies everything that we try to build. We try to build a team for our fans and a team that they are proud of and can identity with. Jordan embodies everything that we want from this team.”
Rashford, 27, has played in nine matches for Aston Villa since agreeing his loan from United, after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim, and also has Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals to look forward to in the coming weeks.
Gareth Southgate had left Rashford out of his European Championship squad after his form dipped last season, with the last of his 60 caps coming in the friendly against Brazil last March.
Tuchel added: “With Marcus, he is a familiar face but a different situation. I felt that he had a huge impact at Aston Villa, he made a huge impact from the bench mostly. The impact was impressive. The physical impact was impressive and most importantly, his work rate, his defensive ability and tracking back was impressive.
“I had the strong feeling that we should nominate him, bring him in and to push him to stay on that level to not fall back on old routines. This camp is to push him to stay on this level.”
Manchester City forward Jack Grealish has been axed after struggling for regular game-time with the Premier League champions. Rashford and Anthony Gordon will be the threats from the flanks in the first games of a new England era. Morgan Rogers has been picked after his excellent form this season, having only been called up in November for the first time as injury cover.
Newcastle centre-back Dan Burn has been given a first call-up but there is no place for highly-rated Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, despite playing in every game in the club’s upturn in form under David Moyes.
Kyle Walker, 34, will be given the opportunity to get closer to 100 caps. Currently on 93, he moved to AC Milan and has played eight games out of 10 since, with Tuchel turning to his experience at right-back.
Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly has been selected, marking an astonishing rise this season. The 18-year-old is yet to be capped at Under-21 level but has impressed in a position where Tuchel is short due to Luke Shaw’s injury problems and Ben Chilwell only just returning to action.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis- Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Ebereche Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).
11:55 AM GMT
Howe: Burn is a real man
Eddie Howe has been reacting to news of the inclusion of Dan Burn in the England squad.
“Starting to work with Dan when we did – obviously he came in during our relegation battle – he’s just such an inspiring guy, but also a very talented player,” said the Newcastle United manager in today’s press conference ahead of his side’s League Cup final tie against Liverpool. “It’s a great story, really, one of the great football stories, one of the great comebacks, someone who had to do it the real hard way, coming through the leagues – dedicated, professional, a leader, a real man, an inspirational figure.”
11:46 AM GMT
Tuchel’s coaches in packed press room
FA technical John McDermott, assistant manager Anthony Barry and goalkeeper coach Henrique Hilario are all sitting among the media for Thomas Tuchel’s first press conference. It’s a packed room – much busier than it would normally be for a squad announcement for games against Albania and Latvia.
11:43 AM GMT
Tuchel: We must protect Lewis-Skelly
“After Lewis Hall’s injury we ran out of left-footers who can play left-back and we were always impressed with Myles. Is it our responsibility to protect him and not take him but with his maturity in the matches we decided to take him. It is important he has guidance and a role model by his side like Jordan Henderson.”
11:41 AM GMT
No spectacles required
Tuchel keeps picking up and putting down his glasses. He hasn’t put them on yet. He is using them more as a prop to help him make his points.
11:39 AM GMT
No Spence spared
Tuchel: “With the injury to Lewis Hall, we ran out a little bit of left-backs.” Tottenham supporters will not be happy to hear that, given how well Djed Spence has been playing. Spence has not been named in Tuchel’s first squad.
11:32 AM GMT
Tuchel: I don’t read the papers
“It’s not easy but I try to be off-line when it comes to opinions about what I do and the decisions I make.
“We trust the process, the Federation, our quality and most of all the players, and trust that the result is visible in the end. I try not to get involved and I do not read what people are saying about what we do.”
11:29 AM GMT
Tuchel: Prince of Wales backing an honour
“It makes me very proud [to be recommended by the Prince of Wales]. The pressure comes with the job, it is a privilege that comes with the role. I met [the Prince of Wales] at Windsor and he is so passionate about Aston Villa and so knowledgeable about football – he was pushing hard for the inclusion of the Aston Villa players, which wasn’t needed because they were doing well anyway. But it is a huge honour to have this job and to be supported like this.”
11:26 AM GMT
Tuchel: I miss the dressing room
“In the end it it about building a strong group. It’s about how you bring this group aside from your talent because talent is a given, but can you bring something else to make this group better?
“I miss the smell of the grass, the dressing room, the humour, the emotions of being in the group.
“Everything is fine and now the cherry on top is the players coming together on Monday.”
11:23 AM GMT
Tuchel: I don’t want to give tactics away
“We aim to get to know people we don’t know personally and see how they adapt. I don’t want to give away whether we will play with a back four or a back five to respect our opponents from Albania and Latvia.
“We need to adapt lots of ideas into one idea. We will not reinvent football over the next three days. There will be video analysis, work on the pitch and then we will develop a structure and give the players the freedom to express themselves.”
11:20 AM GMT
Tuchel: It will be an exciting watch
“This journey starts with the first camp. We only have six camps, 60 days. We must make sure we are on-point. Playing style is just one part of the puzzle, it has to reflect the league that they play in, and the way they like to play.
“We will inject the feel of club football into federation football. We will try to increase the rhythm and intensity of our game compared to the last matches. Hopefully, it will be an exciting watch.”
11:18 AM GMT
Tuchel: Lewis-Skelly can handle the heat
“We accelerate Myles’ career again which is already on fast forward. 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.
“He is available three times a week, playing for the team that is second in the country and in the best league in the world so he should be rewarded for that. He can handle the heat.”
11:17 AM GMT
Tuchel: We should play the English way: direct
“The Premier League is a very physical, direct league. We should be brave enough to play that way. We should try to reflect that – it is the best league in the world and we should play a direct style, a technical style, increasing the rhythm of how we play.”
11:15 AM GMT
Tuchel: Ben White wants to come back
“Ben White loves to be back, I just think it’s a bit early for him to be back, it’s just the nature of the seriousness of the injury. He’s back in training and it’s a question of getting more minutes, more matches – and he want to be back with England.”
11:13 AM GMT
Tuchel: Excited to hug the players
“We had a good start with the staff and the players. We established a line of communication as far as is possible. It is obviously different to club football. That is why we are very excited to be at training on Monday, to feel the players, to hug the players – it will be a great day.”
11:11 AM GMT
Tuchel: Hendo and Burn bring leadership
“I believe Burn and Henderson have every chance to be with us in the World Cup. International football is all about building team spirit, building a team that loves to be with each other, and transports the feeling of the team to the fans in the country. There has to be a good balance, a good mix, and that is what we are trying to do.
“They bring leadership, devotion, being humble, taking care of the group. Burn is such a tall guy but it is easy to overlook him. I was surprised he hadn’t been called up before.
”[Burn] has had a very impressive career and he’s a very solid player. 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.”
11:07 AM GMT
Tuchel: We want to push Rashford
“With Marcus [Rashford] I felt he had a huge impact at Aston Villa, mostly from the bench. In the Champions League his impact was impressive, his physical impact was impressive and most importantly his work against the ball, his physical hard work in counter-pressing was impressive and I had the strong sense to push him and make sure he pushes to stay on that level.”
11:06 AM GMT
Tuchel: Henderson embodies what we want England to be
Thomas Tuchel is looking happy and excited about getting down to business:
“Every player is a contender for the first step to qualify for the World Cup. We waited for the Champions League matches to be over until we took our decision.
Jordan is a serial winner, he is captain of Ajax, he has played a lot of matches. He brings leadership, character, energy, makes sure everyone leads by his example.
He embodies everything what we want this team to be.”
10:59 AM GMT
Tuchel in the building
Thomas Tuchel is due to speak to the media in two minutes’ time, where he will be fielding questions about his first England squad. Expect the moniker ‘Hendo’ to be used quite a lot over the next 20 minutes or so.
And here he is...
10:54 AM GMT
Tuchel: Rashford has had a huge impact
Here’s the England manager’s thoughts on why he recalled Marcus Rashford, who not two months ago was out in the cold at Manchester United and training on his own:
“We were convinced that now is the right time to push him with this nomination. He has had a huge impact lately on the games at Aston Villa and I was delighted to see his effort against the ball, the effort to be the best team-mate possible and his consistent energy in defence.
“There is no doubt about his talent and his quality but to be so physically involved it gave me the impression it is the right moment to call him up and give him the extra push to stay on that level.”
10:49 AM GMT
Tuchel: Hendo and Burn bring energy
Here are Tuchel’s thoughts on Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn:
“We called Hendo back up because of his career and the way he imposes himself at Ajax is just so impressive. He builds it on character, personality and the energy he brings to the team.
“Jordan is a similar call-up for the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders and carry their teams and it is absolutely reliable in what they bring in terms of energy.
“This is where the focus is for us, to build as quickly as possible a strong team, a cohesive team and Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us.”
10:45 AM GMT
Watch: Tuchel on his first England squad
Here are the England manager’s thoughts on his first England squad.
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10:34 AM GMT
Burn choice reflects Tuchel’s wisdom
It may have seemed like a left-field call by Thomas Tuchel to call up the 32-year-old Dan Burn to his first squad but it perhaps shows a manager who has a far deeper understanding of English football than people give him credit for.
Burn has been superb for Newcastle this season, probably their most consistent player, and he would win the player of the season award if the players and staff voted now. That is some going when you consider he plays alongside the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimares, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
He has also been a mainstay of a Newcastle team who have reached two cup finals in three years, played in the Champions League and secured two top-seven finishes in two years. Strong in the air, a good reader of the game and able to play at both centre-back and left-back, it makes a lot of sense.
Burn is also an inspirational figure, a leader of men and someone manager Eddie Howe has described as “a warrior” with whom he would always want to go into battle.
Tuchel has a good relationship with Howe and he will have heard all of those things from the man many wanted as a replacement for Gareth Southgate as England manager. Burn is not the most aesthetically pleasing player but, as a defender, he is rock solid and has held the Newcastle defence together for three years.
Sometimes managers want players who do the basics well – see the ball, clear the ball – and who can be trusted to have the right personality in the dressing room too.
10:23 AM GMT
Tuchel’s defrocked dozen
From the European Championship squad that went to Germany, 12 players have not not been included by Thomas Tuchel for this month’s World Cup qualifiers. One is through retirement (Kieran Trippier) and many through injury – but those dropped include Ivan Toney, despite excellent goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia (and a perfect penalty technique for a shoot-out), and Conor Gallagher, who scored in the Champions League this week. Adam Wharton was not included either.
10:17 AM GMT
Verdict: Tuchel has gone back to the future
Thomas Tuchel’s first squad points to the new manager looking for experience, whether that is wearing an England shirt or playing in the Champions League. It means his squad will certainly have an older average age and it shows his focus is the World Cup, rather than developing players.
Featuring in Europe’s top-club competition this season is one of the common threads in Tuchel’s pool of players for qualifiers against Latvia and Albania. Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Curtis Jones have been playing in the elite competition. Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Adam Wharton and Jarrad Branthwaite have not.
On form in the Premier League there is a strong case for those young players to be included, with Gibbs-White one of the breakout players this season for Nottingham Forest. Elliot Anderson, once called up by Scotland, also staked a claim.
Jordan Henderson’s recall was the shock decision made by Tuchel. With Harry Maguire and John Stones out injured, perhaps this squad needs Henderson’s leadership. Behind the scenes he has been an important figure in helping younger players settle and making the squad harmonise.
On the pitch, Henderson has hardly set the Eredivisie alight following his move to Holland after a disastrous stint in Saudi Arabia. He has started one of the last nine games at club level – hardly a compelling case to recall the 34-year-old. His inclusion is harsh on Angel Gomes, a player Lee Carsley insisted England must nurture if they are to win a World Cup.
But it is clear that Tuchel is not here to nurture players. He has 18 months to win a World Cup so it is no good if players are not at their peak in 2026. There were still a few omissions that raised eyebrows. Liam Delap has attributes big clubs have identified as unique – but he will stay with the Under-21s despite Ollie Watkins not being selected, with the Villa striker having come off at half-time this week.
Henderson and Rashford getting selected means Tuchel has gone back to the future. It is all about the now and nothing else.
10:10 AM GMT
Foden now a ‘forward’
It is always interesting to see under which category the manager lists players’ position. Phil Foden has been listed as a forward, while Morgan Rogers is grouped with midfielders. Foden as a midfielder has been floated previously.
10:09 AM GMT
Livramento provides right-back cover
Left-back was an issue for Gareth Southgate. Just look at how desperate he was to take Luke Shaw to the Euros and then get him on the pitch for the final. Dan Burn can cover there, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is an exciting prospect.
Kieran Trippier’s retirement meant there was no dependable cover for right-back, which was always a handy option when selecting a tournament squad. Tino Livramento may be able to do that now.
10:06 AM GMT
Burt: ‘It’s a bit of a Dad’s Army’
Have a listen to Jason Burt’s initial take on Tuchel’s first England squad.
10:04 AM GMT
Lewis-Skelly’s remarkable rise
Aside from a League Cup match against Bolton, Myles Lewis-Skelly had not started a game for Arsenal this season until December 11. It has been a truly remarkable rise for the 18-year-old, who has now established himself as a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
A measure of Lewis-Skelly’s talent (and personality) is that he had never even played left-back before this season. During his time in the Arsenal academy, he was a central midfield player. It was only on the club’s pre-season tour that he first began to play as an inverting full-back.
His excellent campaign is especially impressive because he has broken through in a position where Arsenal are blessed with options. The Arsenal squad is packed with international defenders capable of playing left-back: Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior. Lewis-Skelly is regularly picked ahead of them all.
The teenager is a confident, inquisitive character who always wants to learn – Arteta has spoken about how Lewis-Skelly peppers the coaching staff with questions about tactics – and he has already become a hero to the Arsenal supporters, not least because of his willing to stand up to Erling Haaland in September, and then mock the Manchester City forward a few months later. Arsenal have been missing this audacity and boldness for too long.
09:59 AM GMT
Options in defence limited
Marc Guehi will be the senior centre-back in this squad, with John Stones and Harry Maguire injured. Gareth Southgate’s first-choice pairing has been at the heart of England’s successes in the last eight years but Thomas Tuchel has limited options.
While Ezra Konsa is established, Levi Colwill has been selected along with Jarell Quansah and Dan Burn.
09:50 AM GMT
Delap decision disappointing
Ollie Watkins came off at half-time during the Champions League clash against Club Brugge this week, which may go some way to explaining his absence. He is such a dependable back-up to Harry Kane that surely he would be included if fit.
Tuchel will face questions on that later. He has passed up the opportunity to look at Liam Delap after his impressive season for Ipswich. The Manchester City Academy graduate offers something different to other strikers.
09:47 AM GMT
Henderson call questionable
Jordan Henderson’s shock recall to the England squad comes 16 months after his last cap. There was a strong argument that his presence as one of the squad leaders was missed at the Euros, although his form at Ajax has hardly given a compelling case for a call-up. He has started once in their last eight games. It is harsh on Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton and Angel Gomes who are exciting central-midfield options.
09:45 AM GMT
Thomas Tuchels’ Dad’s Army?
At first glance the squad appears to be leaning very heavily on veterans. But it is not a complete Dad’s Army side. For every Jordan Henderson, there is a Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old has been a revelation since being given his first Premier League start by Mikel Arteta this season, keeping Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko out of the first team. His development as a No 6 in the Arsenal academy, and ability to also play in the No 8 role means he is a Swiss Army knife of a player whom Tuchel can deploy in myriad positions. Jarell Quansah has also been rewarded for impressing when called upon to deputise in Liverpool’s champions-elect defence.
09:34 AM GMT
Wharton, Gibbs-White, Gomes spurned
As Mike McGrath points out, a number of exciting young midfielders and forwards have been overlooked despite thriving in the Premier League and Ligue 1.
Thomas Tuchel has turned to Jordan Henderson and Eberechi Eze but no place for the young talents of Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White or Angel Gomes in the England squad. Ollie Watkins picked up a knock this week but no call-up for Liam Delap https://t.co/9AELgPkp2F
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) March 14, 2025
09:27 AM GMT
Gibbs-White omission bewildering
The exclusion of Morgan Gibbs-White, who been instrumental in Nottingham Forest’s fairytale season, has come as a surprise.
Every manager will have a reason for their decisions but leaving out Morgan Gibbs-White is bewildering. Outstanding season for Forest: consistent, disciplined and improving all the time. Really poor to not have him involved
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) March 14, 2025
09:23 AM GMT
Walker stays in, White stays out
Tuchel has clearly decided to value experience as this might have been an opportunity to shelve Kyle Walker, who abandoned Manchester City’s ailing title campaign for a loan switch to AC Milan in January. Despite mixed reviews he has been included – perhaps because Ben White remains out of the picture. It was thought White, who withdrew himself from international selection after a falling-out with the previous regime, might return now that he has recovered from knee surgery and as he can provide cover at centre-back and midfield. But whether by his choice or Tuchel’s the Arsenal man stays out.
09:17 AM GMT
Henderson surprise
The biggest surprise of this “new squad” has to be the return of Jordan Henderson, who last played for England in November 2023. His ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia was cut short but his decision to return to Europe, with Ajax, has been rewarded by Tuchel, who perhaps wants Henderson as much for his leadership qualities and his influence in the camp as his midfield prowess, which must be questionable given the league he plays in and his not so tender years: he is now 34.
09:01 AM GMT
ENGLAND SQUAD ANNOUNCED
Here is the squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis- Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Ebereche Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).
08:59 AM GMT
Tuchel’s five big calls
Sam Wallace took a deep dive into the five main issues Tuchel is facing ahead of his first England selection, including whether to re-integrate Ben White, the left-back dilemma, a plan B for Harry Kane, the midfield puzzle and what to do with Rashford and Grealish.
Read more here.
08:55 AM GMT
Lewis-Skelly and Burn rumours
Reports are surfacing that Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn are likely to be included in the squad that will be announced in just over five minutes from now. It would be a remarkable rise to prominence for Lewis-Skelly, aged 18, who only broke into the Arsenal first team this season, while for Burn, 32, it would be an equally heart-warming tale of perseverance for a player who has worked is way up the footballing pyramid having started out in the sixth tier with Blythe Spartans.
08:48 AM GMT
Quansah to make cut
Telegraph Sport also understands that Liverpool’s up and coming centre-back Jarell Quansah has impressed Tuchel sufficiently to have made his selection.
08:42 AM GMT
Everton defender expected to miss out
Not such good news regarding Jarrad Branthwaite, it seems.
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite likely to miss out on England recall despite form under David Moyes where he has played every game. Dan Burn to get call up and add to Thomas Tuchel's centre-back options @TeleFootball ????⚽️????????????????????????????
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) March 14, 2025
08:37 AM GMT
Walker set to get the nod
Mike McGrath has his ear to the ground on the latest development and here’s what he has to say about Kyle Walker.
Thomas Tuchel set to pick Kyle Walker for his first England squad, with AC Milan full-back getting closer to century of caps (currently 93*). The 34yr has played in eight of last 10 Milan games since move from #MCFC @TeleFootball ????????????????????????????⚽️????
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) March 14, 2025
08:31 AM GMT
New broom or minor tweaks?
It will be interesting to see whether Tuchel decides to bring in a new broom and make wholesale changes or just tinker with what went before. Lee Carsley certainly showed courage by giving young players like Angel Gomes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Noni Madueke a chance to prove themselves at international level – but he also kept old stagers like Kyle Walker and Harry Kane in the team. Reviews about Walker’s performances for AC Milan, where he moved in January, have been mixed. But it seems unlikely Tuchel will go for a completely new-look side as his remit is reasonably short-term: win the World Cup.
08:07 AM GMT
Grealish axed, Rashford in line for recall
Jack Grealish is set to be left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad when it is named later this morning.
Grealish, 29, was picked by Lee Carsley for the final matches before Tuchel took charge but has not started a Premier League game since Dec 21 and will lose his place in the squad for the start of World Cup qualification.
Having been dropped for the European Championship last summer, Grealish has struggled with fitness in the current campaign and Pep Guardiola discussed the future of his £100 million signing last week, insisting he must be able to play games in quick succession to win a place in City’s team.
While Grealish has struggled for game-time, Morgan Rogers’ stunning campaign with Aston Villa will be rewarded with a place in Tuchel’s plans.
Tuchel will announce his squad to face Latvia next Friday and Albania, three days later – both at Wembley – at 9am in the first games on the road to America in 2026.
Rogers’ Villa team-mate Marcus Rashford has not played for England for almost a year but is back playing first-team football after his loan move from Manchester United which has put him in the frame for a recall.
