Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad with new additions for games vs Albania and Latvia

“I believe that Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every chance to be with us at the World Cup.

“Football in general, and maybe more in international football, is about team spirit, building a team that loves to play with each other and transports the spirit to the fans and the nation.

“It’s about building the brotherhood so we cannot only with young players or experienced players. It has to be a good balance, a good mix and that’s what we’re trying to do.

“But without doubt, players like Burn and Henderson bring something on a very natural basis to a group from leadership and devotion, being humble and setting the standards and taking care of the respect and language in a group.

“I was surprised that Dan was never called up. He’s such a tall guy but it’s easy to overlook him.

“I can just tell you that these two phone calls, if you see the reaction of Jordan when he was called up and the natural reaction from Dan Burn, you instantly know you’ve picked the right guys.”

On some players not included deserved to be: “I would be a surprise if there was not a surprise! It comes with the job.

“You would love to be in our meeting rooms. We had emotional debate and intense debates. Very hard decisions but some were more obvious.

“Very close decisions. There were players not in the squad that deserved to be but it comes with the job. Everyone has a strong opinion and it is fair enough.”

On Ben White: “He’d love to be back in the squad but I just think it is a bit too early for him given the seriousness of the injury he had.

“I am delighted he is back and back in training. We were monitoring the process and huge compliments to the medical departments at the FA and everyone at Arsenal.

“We are speaking to Ben and are delighted he is back on the bench and had a Champions League match in the second leg. It’s about getting the minutes so he can have every chance of being back.

“He wants to be back.”

England head coach Thomas Tuchel when asked how Jordan Henderson replied when he rang him:

“He said ‘hi, I’m Jordan Henderson’.

“That phone call that you’re talking about, it was weeks ago where I wanted to check in, introduce myself and see how he feels about this idea, if he was even ready.

“It was a video call because at least you can see reactions.

“He appreciated it. I did not call him with an unknown number, I texted him before so he knew the call was coming.

“For me, it was nice to see his genuine reaction to it and you could feel the serial winner with over 80 caps, the pure joy and how humble he was to take this decision and how happy he is to come back on Monday.”

Tuchel: We need to play like an England squad – “My qualities, I can just bring myself, I have nothing else to add.

“I bring my devotion, emotion, my joy and passion for football and the job and I hope the players will feel my love for where I and what I do.

“The playing style needs to reflect the Premier League. It’s a very physical, demanding league, a very direct league. We should be brave enough to play like an England squad and not try to be other nations and styles.

“It should reflect the values of the country and the strongest league in the world, which is the Premier League.

“We will try to implement a direct, attacking style. We will tyr to increase the rhythm and intensity in our game and we will try to do it in a crash course from Monday and unleash the potential for Friday.”

Back five or four?

“We have all the options. We called up nine defenders to have the options and to get to know them personally.

“I don’t want to give it away whether we play with a back four or five. We keep this advantage and information for us, to respect Albania and Latvia.

“We have a lot of options. We chose some players because they can play more than one position. Half position, wing-back, full-back, central defender or in a back three.

“The challenge is to combine these different ideas as they come from so many different clubs. Maybe more than ever, it is important that less is more.

“We will not invent new football in the four days before the first match. We will maybe only have three training sessions. It will be a lot of video and on the pitch, then we find a structure and identity that suits everyone and they understand it quickly.”

Fans gave their reaction as Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad with new additions for games vs Albania and Latvia…

@James_COYS_: Justice for Djed Spence, Tuchel you need to watch the guy more

@lukeoneill2205: Henderson over Wharton is already a sackable offence.

@False_Alarm_: Another manager picking ‘big club’ players over those in form. What’s the point of even going with Henderson and Walker? Might as well start looking for Tuchels replacement already

@KieranBlackler: There is not a single reason in 2025 to be seeing Jordan Henderson in an England squad.

@FPL_EZE: Jordan Henderson over Adam Wharton in 2025🥴🥴🥴

@DannyOD95: I’m genuinely not on board with the club bias stuff with England, but this is absolutely fucking mental. Henderson and Rashford in, no Gibbs-White. Baffling

@mattiejoule: That squad is absolutely bonkers. Don’t even know where to start with it

@TilehurstRed: Awful team. Calling up players who are 32 or have played half a dozen games over players like Gibbs_White has helped #nffc into 3rd place! Couldn’t be less bothered about watching any of these games! 😡

@cockcroft_conor: Feel like Branthwaite, Gallagher and Morgan Gibbs-White have all been robbed…and who picks 4 keepers 🤔😂

@SheldonMiller: No @Morgangibbs27 …and Jordan Henderson instead??!! That is utterly ridiculous.

@trickytrees12: Incredibly disappointing. Genuinely thought Tuchel was a good appointment but this is just more of the same. Henderson? Foden? Rashford? Come on… #nffc #eng

@TheVillaPolls: Konsa, Rogers and Rashford 🙌💜

@DaveMUK: Please explain why Morgan Gibbs-White is not included? Arguably one of the standout performers in the Premiership this season and with the perfect England youth pedigree?? Make it make sense…

@Panks80: Players picked on reputation alone. Not earnt. Not the way it should be. Particularly the first one. He’s now set he’s stall out. You can play sh*t for your club, or not even at all but be picked. Gutted for Spence and MGW

@ImJamieMartin: Rashford, Henderson, Foden 🥴

@DrewTweets0: No Gibbs-White very disappointing considering how good he’s been

@Superspurs131: DJed Spence has not only been the best English full back in the league the last few months. He’s arguably been the best full back full stop… He can play Right and left back flawlessly.. Not making the squad is nothing short of ridiculous… Tuchel out

ON DAN BURN:

@Nusc2023: Delighted for BDB, massive news

@MagnificoMags: Nobody is more deserving. He’s been brilliant this season for us and is a key reason why we’re in the CL race. Never moans, never gives an inch. Always gives 100%. Well done, Dan. BDB for England.

@sigittins: Absolutely delighted for the lad, he’s been by far our best centre half this season. He plays to his best level almost every game, he never sacks or moods it off. 👏

@LittleHenryD: Better than mings and dunk. Good luck to him. Refreshing compared to the stale southgate favourites.

@CrierToon: Living the dream Came in as a stop gap and gone from strength to strength. Well done BDB. Does great work for the community as well

@jackb18_: he’s absolutely deserved this by the way, over the moon for him

@tynetakes: Amazing news, buzzing for him. From where he’s come from to now can’t fault his hard work. Been a very good signing on the whole for us

@S0uthernGe0rdie: What the fuck. I mean he’s been fantastic in most parts but Christ how bad is the CB selection for the country if he’s making the cut

@daveynicnufc: Hope this is true, absolutely love BDB, if i could choose any player to score the winner on Sunday it would be hands down Big Dan Burn!! Canny lad, HES FROM BLYYYYYTH 🙌🏼🖤🤍