NEW England manager Thomas Tuchel has named four uncapped players in his first ever squad.
He’s called up: Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, Newcastle defender Dan Burn, Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah and Championship side Burnley’s first choice goalkeeper James Trafford.
When asked about why he called up these players, Tuchel said: “With the injuries lately, we ran out of left-footers who can play left back.
“We’ve always been impressed with Myles and he’s been doing so well at Arsenal, and we’ve enjoyed watching him from the very start.
“I can understand it feels we’re fast forwarding his career a little bit, but in the end with the quality and maturity he’s shown we decided to take him.
“I was surprised Dan was never called up, he’s such tall guy but it’s so easy to overlook him.
“But with genuine reactions like he had when we called him up, you then realise you’ve picked the right player.”
Tuchel officially took charge of the national team in January and has reportedly spoken to around 55 different players ahead of today’s squad announcement for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia later on this month.
Other players making headlines for their return to the squad today are Ajax’s Jordan Henderson who hasn’t played for the national team since 2023, and Marcus Rashford who was controversially left out for the 2024 European Championship tournament by Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel added: “I think everyone who is in this first camp are contenders for the World Cup, it’s important to be in the first camp as you’re then starting the journey with us.
“Jordan is first of all a serial winner and what he brings to every team is leadership, personality, character and energy , he also makes sure every other player lives by the standard, and he embodies everything we are trying to build.
“With Marcus is a different situation. I felt like he’s had a huge impact on Aston Villa since his move and he’s been impressive and hard working and we want to make sure he doesn’t fall back in to old routines.”
Contenders who had been recently included, but are missed out by the new German boss include midfielders Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton, and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.
Other absentees also include Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins who went off injured in their Champions League game against Club Brugge and Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also misses out through injury.
