New England manager Thomas Tuchel has recalled Jordan Henderson to the squad, surprising many. Key returns include Marcus Rashford, while players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish are absent. The squad features newcomers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn. England’s qualifiers against Albania and Latvia are forthcoming, taking place on March 21 and March 24, respectively.
Jordan Henderson’s unexpected return to the England squad marks a notable move by new head coach Thomas Tuchel, who is initiating changes to the team. Tuchel’s inaugural squad features other surprise selections, notably Marcus Rashford, who has excelled since his loan to Aston Villa. Additionally, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle’s Dan Burn earn their first call-ups to reinforce the squad’s defensive options.
Notably absent from the squad are Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury, and Jack Grealish, who has struggled to secure a regular starting position with Manchester City. Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers have been given preference over Grealish, highlighting Tuchel’s emphasis on form and current performance.
The inclusion of Henderson is particularly striking, reflecting Tuchel’s appreciation for the player’s experience and leadership within a somewhat limited central midfield, aside from Declan Rice. Having missed out on Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 last summer, Henderson’s return follows an impressive tenure in the Eredivisie with Ajax.
The England national team is set to compete against Albania on March 21, which will be Tuchel’s first match in charge, followed by a game against Latvia three days later. The complete squad for the World Cup qualifiers is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
In summary, Jordan Henderson’s unexpected selection by Thomas Tuchel represents a significant development in England’s national team as they prepare for upcoming matches. While Tuchel’s initial squad includes notable returns and new faces, it also raises questions about key absentees such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish. As the team approaches critical qualifiers, the blending of experienced players like Henderson with emerging talents could define their performance in the upcoming matches.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
