Thomas Tuchel recalls Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford as first England squad announced
Thomas Tuchel has recalled Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford in his first squad as England's new manager.
The German has also handed Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle defender Dan Burn their first international call-ups.
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Manchester City outcast Jack Grealish has been dropped, while Gunners teenager Ethan Nwaneri misses out despite a breakthrough season in the Premier League.
There was also no room for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, Tottenham defender Djed Spence or Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Along with Henderson and Rashford, Chelsea captain Reece James also makes his long-awaited return the England squad, having been a key player for Tuchel during his time at Stamford Bridge.
All three players were left out of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad and have not featured for the Three Lions since.
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Other notable inclusions are Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, who has been a bit-part player for the Reds this season.
Tuchel was announced as Southgate's permanent replacement back in October 2024 following Lee Carsley's interim reign, becoming only the third foreign manager to take charge of the Three Lions.
The ex-Chelsea boss will take to the dugout for the first time five months later, as the Three Lions begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
Up first is the visit of Albania to Wembley on March 21, followed by another home match against Latvia on March 24.
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Tuchel, who officially started work in January, signed an 18-month contract with the FA, taking him up to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Explaining the decision to recall Ajax midfielder Henderson, Tuchel said: "We called Hendo back up because I think his career and the way he plays now and imposes himself at Ajax is so impressive and he builds it on character, personality and energy that he brings to the them.
Thomas Tuchel's first England squad
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)
"So for me, Jordan is a bit of a similar call-up to the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders, they carry their teams and it's absolutely reliable in terms of what they bring in terms of energy and this is where the focus is to build as quick as possible a strong team, cohesive team and Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us."
On Rashford, Tuchel added: "Marcus is in a good way. We thought now we were convinced it's the right sign to push him with this nomination.
"He had a huge impact lately in the matches of Aston Villa. I was delighted to see the effort against the ball, his effort to be the best teammate possible, his consistent energy in defence with Aston Villa.
"Then there is no doubt about his talent and his quality. But to see him, to be so decisive and so involved, physically involved, gave me the impression it's the right time to call him up and give him the extra push that he stays on that level."
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe reacted to the inclusion of Burn for the first time.
Howe said: “It’s an incredible moment for Dan and I have to say, there’s no one more deserving, in my opinion.
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“Starting to work with Dan when I did when he came in during our relegation battle, he’s just such an inspiring guy but also very talented as a player and it’s a great story really.
“It’s a great footballing story and a great comeback from someone who had to do it the hard way – coming through the leagues, a dedicated professional, a leader, a real man and an inspirational figure.”
Howe added: “He is the model pro really.
“He’s so committed to what he does and he’s had to be. He’s been given great strengths in his size and his height and they’re brilliant weapons to have as a centre-half but then you’ve got to improve all of the other areas of your game to see that as a big strength and he’s done that for me.
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“His character is so stable and so level, he takes every challenge and every potential negative in his stride and comes back stronger.
“I’m so pleased for him on a personal level because he deserves it.”
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