Story by
England squad runners and riders: Who will Thomas Tuchel pick as wildcard options emerge?
- Story by
- England squad runners and riders: Who will Thomas Tuchel pick as wildcard options emerge?
(London Standard)
England are braced for two big encounters this month as they bid to reach March's Nations League quarter-finals — but Thomas Tuchel first has some selection dilemmas to solve.
The Three Lions head coach will on Friday name his final squad of 2026, as England prepare to face Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to take on Spain on November 15.
Advertisement
While plenty of names pick themselves, there are also some very tight calls the England head coach must make. Here, Standard Sportseparates the definites from the likelys — and the likely-nots…
Certain call-ups
Harry Kane
The Ballon d'Or winner and England captain is as definite a call-up as you could possibly imagine ahead of a record-breaking 126th cap.
Harry Kane is set to make history. (Getty)
Ezri Konsa
Has been sensational since swapping Aston Villa for Arsenal and is fast becoming England's best centre-back.
Jude Bellingham
The Real Madrid man was magnificent in the last international break and will be central to what they do against Croatia and Spain this month.
Advertisement
Jordan Pickford
Faces genuine competition for the No1 spot for the first time in his England career but will be in, of course.
Elliot Anderson
Has made an excellent start to life at Manchester City and is integral in England's midfield.
Declan Rice
Still the man Tuchel trusts most in midfield and will be back in after missing the last international break as Arsenal wangled him a rest.
Lewis Hall
Many will feel he should have been England's first-choice left-back at the World Cup and has the chance to cement that role now.
Anthony Gordon
Really has seemed to come of age and reach a new level since joining Barcelona. Crucial now.
Advertisement
James Trafford
The man pushing Pickford all the way as the two men eye up the first-choice goalkeeper role at Euro 2028 on home soil.
Morgan Rogers
Has made a very successful start to life at Chelsea, and Tuchel has long been a big fan.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (AFP/Getty)
Likely picks
Jarrad Branthwaite
Was excellent against Newcastle in Everton's win on Monday and after a call-up last time out could well get another.
Dean Henderson
Was injured during the last international break but is back between the sticks now for Crystal Palace and therefore likely to dislodge Jason Steele as third-choice goalkeeper.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Scoring for fun for Leeds United and likely to get his chance for England again.
Advertisement
Marc Guehi
Not having a particularly good season at City from an individual perspective but is still clearly one of the country's best centre-backs.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Versatile positionally, playing pretty regularly, and the scorer of the very first goal of Tuchel's tenure back in March 2025.
James Garner
A key man for Everton and a midfielder the England head coach is fond of. Could well get another chance for the national team this month.
Rio Ngumoha (PA)
Rio Ngumoha
Tuchel is a member of the Rio Ngumoha fan club, and the Liverpool winger would be unlucky to miss out this month.
Jarell Quansah
Produced some solid performances at right-back last time out and will probably be in again.
Advertisement
Eberechi Eze
Another player the head coach has always shown a liking to. Able to play through the middle or out on the left, and Marcus Rashford being out injured may prove no bad thing for his chances.
Nico O'Reilly
Not as integral to City under Enzo Maresca as he was under Pep Guardiola but a very popular England player sure to make it in.
Jordan Henderson
Was absent from Chelsea's 2-0 win over 10-man Manchester United due to illness but his form is likely to see him into the squad, despite 36 years of age, provided he has recovered from illness.
Noni Madueke
Going to be a beneficiary for club and country from Bukayo Saka's injury. It will mean greater game time.
Cole Palmer (Getty)
50-50 calls
Cole Palmer
Advertisement
Tuchel remains frustrated with how many camps Palmer drops out of. Will he try once more to get the chance to work with him in the flesh this month?
Ben White
Playing a fair amount at right-back for Arsenal and that is a position where England have problems after Reece James's injury.
Djed Spence
Tuchel was unable to call on him due to injury last time out but the Inter Milan man was a big part and a larger-than-life character in England's run to the World Cup semi-finals.
Kobbie Mainoo
It is pretty impossible to predict week to week what will happen next in the world of Kobbie Mainoo. Therefore, a 50-50 call.
Advertisement
Josh King
The 19-year-old is shouldering a lot of the responsibility at Fulham right now and was called up as a training player into England's pre-World Cup camp in June.
Levi Colwill
Tuchel has never seemed to hold Colwill hugely in favour, but the Chelsea man is playing every week. Centre-back could potentially need an extra body considering both Trevoh Chalobah and John Stones are injured.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Was perhaps only back in the squad last month due to the lack of right-back alternatives and it would not be surprising if he missed out this time.
Will Lankshear (Getty)
Slim hope
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Has never been called up for England before but that is increasingly a grievance for Everton fans, who love the impact the 28-year-old attacking midfielder has on their team.
Advertisement
Will Lankshear
He's playing in the Championship for Middlesborough but the former Spurs striker is banging goals in and has 15 goals in 16 games in all competitions. Is it the worst shout to ponder whether Tuchel might take a punt on the 21-year-old?
Phil Foden
Scored a cracking hat-trick in the Champions League against AEK Athens that will have impressed Tuchel, but will he get the recall after missing the World Cup?
Josh Acheampong
Shows so much maturity at centre-back for Chelsea, defying his only 20 years of age.
James Maddison
Has had a massive impact on Tottenham since returning from his ACL injury and might just be in with an outside shout of a return to the England setup.
Advertisement
Jason Steele
Was the third-choice goalkeeper last time out but that was largely because Dean Henderson was injured. Will likely have to step aside this time.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Is not enjoying a fruitful season with Nottingham Forest and while he is one of the country's most talented players, that might not be enough.
Adam Wharton (Getty)
Harvey Barnes
Was recalled in March after six years in the international wilderness. An outside bet.
Dan Burn
Playing more regularly for Newcastle but is now 34 years of age and perhaps Tuchel will feel his time has come and gone.
Archie Gray
Continues to shine at Spurs and it does feel like only a matter of time before the versatile 20-year-old progresses from the England youth setup to the senior team.
Advertisement
Jayden Bogle
This is a rogue shout, but Bogle has been so impressive at wing-back for Leeds that perhaps Tuchel might take a look.
Rico Lewis
Was only called up with one game left of the last international break due to enough players dropping out that the squad needed cover. Would be surprising if he is back in.
Adam Wharton
Has played for England on four occasions in the past but Tuchel doesn't fancy him in his midfield and it would be a shock if the Palace man were included.
