England head coach Thomas Tuchel has left Aaron Ramsdale out of his first matchday squad for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania.
The goalkeeper who has had to endure a difficult season at Premier League strugglers Southampton, was omitted in favour of Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace, and Burnley’s James Trafford.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, and Liverpool’s Jarrell Quansah were also left out – after the German boss had to cut down the matchday squad to 23, as Uefa rules state.
It has been a difficult season for Ramsdale, who has conceded 50 goals in 21 Premier League matches, with the 26-year-old now looking at the third Premier League relegation of his career.
Ramsdale has made five appearances for his country and since making his debut in November 2021 – and has frequently been regarded as second or third choice behind Pickford.
Speaking ahead of the game at Thursday’s press conference, Tuchel insisted he wants his players to play with ‘excitement’, as they look to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America.
He said: “I’ve heard a lot that it’s a heavy shirt. It is in fact not. But I know what the players mean.
“Watching the Euros I felt tension and pressure on the shoulders of the players and they were playing not to lose.
“I want us to play with excitement and the hunger and desire to win…and the acceptance of failure is part of it, especially in football.”
The Saints goalkeeper will hope to be back in the matchday squad when the Three Lions host Latvia at Wembley on Monday.
England are in Group K, along with Albania, Andorra, Latvia, and Serbia – with Tuchel looking to go one better than Gareth Southgate achieved, and win England’s first mens major trophy since 1966.
