It’s official: Thomas Tuchel has selected his first England team. Although most people choose their own players, the former Chelsea manager, who is only the third non-Englishman to hold the position, hasn’t hesitated to make some controversial choices.
Jordan Henderson, who last played for his nation in November 2023, is undoubtedly the headline-stealer. The Krumbach-born tactician has also given Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn their first call-ups.
Despite their joy, Tuchel and his team have overlooked a lot of talent as they get ready for two World Cup qualifying matches against Latvia and Albania. Let’s examine the top eight talents, from Morgan Gibbs-White to Liam Delap.
Elliot Anderson, Forest of Nottingham
In 2023, Elliot Anderson had the opportunity to break his senior international duck for Scotland. The youthful player was called up by Steve Clarke for two games, but he was forced to withdraw due to injury, which allowed England to quickly sign an all-rounder for the near future from the engine room.
The 22-year-old Anderson is a versatile player who can screen in front of the back four, play box-to-box, or fill in in attacking midfield. It is said that midfield is where games are won, and his impact on Nottingham Forest’s dynamic style this season may be repeated on the global scene. Apparently not this month.
Ethan Arsenal Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri is only 17 years old, of course. But his Arsenal performances this season seem to indicate otherwise. The adolescent sensation has taken on a lot of the creative load, especially since his countryman Bukayo Saka was injured and unable to play.
Nwaneri is considered to be among the top teenage football players in the world, and the world is his oyster. Mikel Arteta has been cautious about throwing his straight in the deep end thus far in 2024–25, but when he is counted on, the winger has properly adapted. In 28 games, he has scored eight goals and provided one assist.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton
Isn’t there a reason why Jarrad Branthwaite has been connected to a high-profile, high-paying transfer to Manchester United? The Carlisle-born kid has a distinctive profile that makes him imposing, composed with the ball, and (most significantly) left-footed. Tuchel and company might find him appealing, but they obviously don’t.
Branthwaite, a pillar of Everton’s back four this season, was underutilised under Gareth Southgate, and the 51-year-old Tuchel must make sure it doesn’t happen again. Even though he is only 22 years old, he has already made a name for himself as a mainstay in England’s tier.
Conor Gallagher, who plays for Real Madrid
The central midfielder has found Simeone’s Atletico Madrid ideal, and he can offer England something distinct from Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice: a ground-eating enforcer who will cover every blade of grass without fail. Gallagher currently has 21 caps for England, but he won’t be adding to that total this month.
Spence Djed
Tottenham Hotspur
Djed Spence is among Tuchel’s top options, but he hasn’t been selected, which is strange given the 24-year-old’s versatility. This is because the left-back position is in desperate need of improvement due to ongoing injury concerns with Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell.
Spence, who was born in London, is a Swiss Army Knife who can play on either the right or left side of Tottenham Hotspur’s back line. His style differs greatly from that of the full-backs the new manager now has available. It would be intriguing to observe his athleticism and strength in a one-on-one setting.
Wharton, Adam Crystal Palace
Similar to Gallagher, there is a serious discussion about who will join Bellingham and Rice in England’s midfield lineup. Adam Wharton, who is linked to Real Madrid, has made a strong case to be included in the discussion because of his extremely uncommon profile for an England native.
The 21-year-old’s passing range is what makes him so incredibly amazing; whether he’s hammering passes between the lines or lofting balls from a deeper position, the Blackburn Rovers academy graduate is your go-to player. The Crystal Palace player has already been captained by the Three Lions. It is unclear when he will receive another opportunity, but it will undoubtedly come soon.
White Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs
The talismanic Gibbs-White has received the unfortunate news that he was left off of Tuchel’s inaugural team. The twice-capped international, the leader of Nottingham Forest’s improbable run for Champions League qualifying, appears to be an unassailable choice, yet his position is obviously already crowded with elite players.
And that may be the reason for his shocking exclusion, which is all the more bizarre when you consider Henderson’s inclusion. Gibbs-White has only managed five goals and six assists this season, so it’s not a return to sniff at, but his all-around impact has made his team an unlikely contender for the top four, and he earned the call-up.
Delap, Liam
Town of Ipswich
Since Dominic Solanke isn’t always at the races in north London and Ivan Toney is now playing for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, Liam Delap, who is regarded as one of the best strikers in the Premier League, has the opportunity to establish himself as Harry Kane’s understudy for years to come.
Son of throw-in master Rory, Delap has scored ten Premier League goals this season and, if he keeps up his current pace, the brash center-forward will have all he needs to become England’s top goal scorer when Kane eventually retires. He is incredibly strong, powerful, and somewhat silky—the ideal combination for a top line leader.
