Thomas Tuchel reshaped his England squad with Cole Palmer and Jarrad Branthwaite returning, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden remain absent.
Tuchel reshapes England squad after World Cup lessons
Thomas Tuchel has made a number of significant decisions in his latest England squad, with several of the choices clearly influenced by what happened during the World Cup and by the form of players during the opening weeks of the new club season. The most debated issue remains the continued absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose omission had already caused considerable discussion before and during the World Cup. That debate only intensified once England lost both Tino Livramento and Reece James to injury, leaving Tuchel short of natural options at right-back during the latter stages of the tournament. England eventually had to improvise, with central defenders Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah filling the role when required, an unusual solution at a stage of the competition when every positional detail can become decisive.
Despite those problems, England still managed to recover sufficiently to finish third after a dramatic third-place play-off against France. The result ensured that Tuchel side ended the World Cup with a medal, but it did not remove the questions surrounding his squad construction. Alexander-Arnold absence became one of the most obvious talking points because England found themselves needing precisely the type of specialist right-back they had chosen not to take. The issue has therefore followed Tuchel into the new international cycle, with supporters and observers continuing to question whether England can afford to leave out a player with Alexander-Arnold passing range, creativity and experience when injuries can so quickly reduce the available options in one position.
Alexander-Arnold debate continues
The right-back situation during the World Cup provided the strongest argument for those who disagreed with Tuchel original decision. Livramento and James were both unavailable through injury, forcing England to move players away from their natural positions. Konsa and Quansah are both central defenders first and foremost, and although modern defenders are increasingly expected to operate in different areas, asking them to play at right-back during the decisive stages of a World Cup was far from ideal. Their inclusion there was therefore less a tactical preference than a consequence of the squad circumstances England had created for themselves.
Tuchel, however, has shown throughout his time with England that reputation alone will not guarantee selection. His squad choices have repeatedly suggested that he is willing to leave out established names if he believes another player suits his immediate plans better. That approach remains evident now. Alexander-Arnold is again one of the central names in the discussion, but Tuchel is also making equally notable decisions elsewhere in the squad, particularly in midfield and attack.
Palmer returns after strong start
Cole Palmer is one of the most important returning players. Like Alexander-Arnold, the Chelsea playmaker was a major absentee from England World Cup squad, but his situation has changed following an impressive beginning to the new season. His return reflects how quickly the international picture can shift when club form changes. Palmer ability to create chances, operate between the lines and contribute goals gives England another attacking option in the areas behind the striker, and his inclusion suggests that Tuchel has been encouraged by what he has seen from him since the World Cup.
The contrast with Phil Foden is particularly striking. Foden remains one of the most technically gifted English players of his generation, but he has yet to establish himself as an automatic starter at Manchester City under new manager Enzo Maresca. That lack of a settled place at club level appears to have worked against him in Tuchel thinking. Rather than selecting Foden on reputation or past achievements, the England head coach has preferred players who are currently enjoying more regular roles and stronger momentum. Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is one of those to benefit, underlining Tuchel willingness to look beyond the biggest clubs when assessing who deserves a place.
The decision also sends a clear message about the competition within the England squad. A player with Foden quality can no longer assume that his place is secure if he is not playing regularly or consistently at club level. Tuchel appears to be placing significant weight on current rhythm, fitness and role, rather than simply selecting the most famous names available. That makes the battle for places more open, but it also increases the pressure on established internationals to regain their strongest form between international windows.
Ngumoha continues remarkable rise
One of the most eye-catching names in the squad is Rio Ngumoha. The Liverpool forward is still only 18 but has already broken into the senior England setup after making his international debut in June. His latest call-up confirms that Tuchel sees him as more than a short-term experiment. Ngumoha remains at an early stage of his senior career, but his ability to force his way into the national-team conversation at such a young age is significant, particularly given the competition for attacking places.
His selection also reflects a broader willingness from Tuchel to reward young players quickly rather than wait for them to accumulate years of experience. If the head coach believes a player can contribute immediately, age does not appear to be a major barrier. For Ngumoha, the challenge now becomes moving from promising newcomer to a player who can regularly justify his place in a squad containing some of the strongest attacking talent available to England.
Branthwaite returns to the defensive group
There is also a notable return in defence, with Jarrad Branthwaite back in the national-team squad. The Everton centre-back, who previously played for PSV, has only one senior England appearance to his name, earned in June 2024, but has now been brought back into the group. His return gives Tuchel another natural central defensive option and could become especially valuable given the positional problems England experienced during the World Cup.
Branthwaite inclusion also strengthens the depth available in a part of the squad where flexibility became essential during the tournament. England had to move central defenders into wider roles because of injuries, so adding another recognised centre-back gives Tuchel greater room to manage different scenarios. His presence does not directly solve the Alexander-Arnold debate at right-back, but it does increase the number of defensive combinations available to the head coach.
Henderson and Watkins miss out
Jordan Henderson is another experienced name missing from the latest squad. The former Ajax midfielder has not been selected after suffering a broken arm during the World Cup. Henderson has long been associated with leadership and experience within the England setup, but his absence opens space for younger midfielders and players in better physical condition. Given Tuchel apparent emphasis on current readiness, his exclusion is consistent with the broader approach being taken across the squad.
Ollie Watkins is also absent following his move to Saudi Arabia. The former Aston Villa striker had been part of the England picture for an extended period, but his transfer has coincided with him dropping out of Tuchel latest selection. The omission creates more room for other attacking options and adds another example of how quickly the national-team hierarchy can change when a player moves clubs or sees his competitive environment altered.
Tuchel continues to prioritise current form
Taken together, the selections suggest that Tuchel is prepared to make difficult decisions even when they involve some of England most recognisable players. Palmer has earned his way back in through club form, while Foden remains out despite his technical quality. Ngumoha continues to rise quickly, Branthwaite has been given another opportunity and players such as Henderson and Watkins are currently outside the picture. Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, remains the most debated omission because of what happened during the World Cup and because England were forced to improvise once injuries struck.
That World Cup experience will inevitably remain part of the conversation around this squad. England finished third, a result that demonstrated resilience, but the tournament also exposed areas where Tuchel selection decisions were tested severely. The right-back problem was the clearest example. Having decided not to include Alexander-Arnold, England eventually lost Livramento and James and found themselves using central defenders in that position. Whether Tuchel views that as a one-off problem caused by unfortunate injuries or something that should influence future squad planning remains one of the central questions surrounding his selections.
For now, his message appears consistent. Places are not guaranteed by reputation, previous status or past tournament involvement. Players who are performing regularly and fitting his current tactical ideas can move quickly into the squad, while even established internationals can be left out. That approach creates competition throughout the group and ensures that every international window becomes an opportunity for the hierarchy to change again. With Palmer back, Ngumoha continuing his rapid rise and Branthwaite returning, Tuchel latest England squad already looks different from the one that went through the World Cup, but the debate over Alexander-Arnold shows that some of the biggest questions from the tournament have still not disappeared.
