How England could line up in Thomas Tuchel’s first game as Three Lions boss with host of big names left out
THOMAS TUCHEL has made some big calls in his first England squad.
Earlier today, the German tactician’s first squad to face Albania and Latvia was announced, featuring some surprise omissions and major recalls.
The likes of Reece James, Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson were brought back into the fold by Tuchel.
Meanwhile, stars like Ollie Watkins, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eliott Anderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish missed the cut.
There were debut call ups for Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
While there are of course the usual suspects like captain Harry Kane, midfielder Jude Bellingham and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
But now Tuchel has selected his cards, how will he play them?
Tuchel was known at Chelsea for playing a back three, but when he moved to Bayern Munich he preferred a back four shape.
This England squad has stars who are very capable in both shapes.
However, we expect the 51-year-old to deploy his England team in a back four shape to start with.
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Tuchel said the call ups for Burn and Henderson were down to them bringing leadership qualities and character to the squad.
For that reason both could be named in his first starting XI to face Albania on March 21 in England’s first World Cup qualifier.
Tuchel is likely to keep his spine a tried and trusted formula, with Jordan Pickford in goal, Harry Kane up front and Declan Rice in midfield.
Guehi, who has arguably established himself as the Three Lions best centre-back in the last 12 months, may partner debutant Burn in central defence, with veteran Kyle Walker selected at right-back and Lewis-Skelly filling in at left-back.
Rice could provide the legs for Henderson in midfield which would also allow the Arsenal midfielder the license to bomb forward and join the attack.
Ahead of them, Jarrod Bowen’s pace and directness off the left will partner well with Cole Palmer’s creativity on the right wing and Bellingham’s dynamism behind Kane.
Alternatively, Tuchel could go to his famous 3-4-3 shape and go with a very experimental XI to help him get to know his squad.
A change between in the sticks with Dean Henderson in for Pickford could come about, while Guehi’s anchor a back three alongside Chelsea pair Levi Colwill and James, who are both familiar with a back three system.
An aggressive set of wing-backs may see Newcastle duo Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon selected on either wing, while Rice and Bellingham pair in midfield able to shuffle back and forth.
Then Aston Villa duo Rashford and Morgan Rogers could start behind Dominic Solanke, which may give Tuchel a real idea about the true depth of his attacking options.