England Squad: Tuchel's Choices for Upcoming Matches

Thomas Tuchel's England squad is revealed, with a mix of youth and experience. Read more about the players who were selected and what this means for the team's future.

With the domestic season wrapped up, England manager Thomas Tuchel is gearing up for the upcoming international break. Tuchel has already announced his squad for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Andorra and the friendly match against Senegal.

The England squad is evolving under Tuchel's guidance, and the next internationals will provide valuable insight into the team's progress. The matches against Andorra and Senegal will be important tests for the team as they prepare for the Club World Cup.

The Value of Post-Season Friendlies

The usefulness of post-season friendlies is debatable, especially with the congested football calendar. Some argue that these matches serve little purpose other than generating revenue, as players are already exhausted from a demanding season. The benefits of such games are questionable, and the financial gain may be the primary motivator for teams to participate.

The timing of the Senegal match is quite absurd, even if it was meant to give Thomas Tuchel a chance to assess players who might not be regular starters.

Down to work! 😤 pic.twitter.com/o2cXijqYCl

— England (@England) June 2, 2025

Trevoh Chalobah's First Senior Call-up

Trevoh Chalobah has received his first senior call-up for England's upcoming matches against Andorra and Senegal. The 25-year-old defender was loaned to Crystal Palace at the start of the season but returned to Chelsea in January. This call-up presents an opportunity for Chalobah to showcase his skills on the international stage.

Trevoh Chalobah's form has earned him a well-deserved senior call-up, with impressive stats including an 80% tackle success rate, 33 interceptions, and 66 headed clearances. He's also won back possession 113 times and had only two errors leading to goals, showcasing his growth as a top-level center-back.

Given his form, it would be logical for Chalobah to start in upcoming matches, but it's not guaranteed. Bringing him into the squad only to keep him on the bench would seem counterintuitive, considering his strong season.

Trafford's Chance to Shine

The upcoming matches might be James Trafford's chance to push for a starting spot ahead of Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson. The Burnley goalkeeper had an impressive season, making 88 saves with an 84.5% save success rate. He also saved both penalties he faced and had perfect accuracy on his goalkeeper sweeps, showcasing his skills and potentially making a strong case for selection.

James Trafford's impressive season was marked by several notable achievements. He set a club record for most minutes without conceding a goal, reaching 1,000 minutes by February 2025. Trafford also equaled the record for most clean sheets in a single season in English football with 29 shutouts in 44 games and set a new Championship record with 12 consecutive clean sheets.

Henderson's Continued Relevance

Jordan Henderson has been included in the England squad, marking another opportunity for the experienced midfielder. Despite the influx of new talent, Henderson remains a valued member of the team under Thomas Tuchel. With a potential return to Sunderland looming, this squad selection is a notable achievement for the veteran player.

Thomas Tuchel has previously praised Jordan Henderson's contributions to the national team, highlighting the standards and work ethic he brings. Henderson's inclusion in the squad is far from a wasted opportunity, as his experience is invaluable to the England setup. While he might not start ahead of players like Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, or Declan Rice, his presence is still crucial to the team's dynamics.

Toney's Return to England Squad

Ivan Toney has been recalled to the England squad for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, following a productive season with Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia where he scored 30 goals and provided 4 assists in 44 games. While starting might be a stretch, Toney's experience and ability to hold up play and find the net make him a likely candidate for late-game cameos.

Thomas Tuchel’s #ThreeLions squad for June is here! 👀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

— England (@England) May 23, 2025

Thomas Tuchel's England squad has some fresh faces, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke, who have all earned their first call-ups under the new manager. Harry Kane, fresh from winning his first domestic title, will captain the team and lead the attack. The squad's balance seems spot on, blending experienced players with new talent.

Youth and Experience in Harmony

The England squad boasts a great balance of youth and experience, combining exciting talents like Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer with seasoned players such as Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. This blend allows the more experienced players to anchor the midfield and defense, giving others the freedom to push forward and express themselves creatively.

There's nothing worse than being called up to a national team only to have your skills forced into a system that doesn't suit you. Fortunately, England's current squad seems well-suited to play to their strengths. Given their group, England should qualify with ease, with opponents like Albania, Latvia, Serbia, and Andorra not posing a significant threat. Thomas Tuchel will likely be confident about the team's chances.