England's football scene has been buzzing following the announcement of Thomas Tuchel's first squad as national manager. On March 14, 2025, Tuchel unveiled the 26-man roster for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, set to take place at Wembley Stadium. This initial selection was met with excitement but also confusion and disappointment from fans, particularly concerning the omissions of key Tottenham players Djed Spence and James Maddison.
Dominic Solanke was called up for the squad, marking his third consecutive appearance wearing the England jersey after nearly seven years away. His recent stellar performance, including two assists during Tottenham's 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar just the day prior, certainly helped bolster his case for selection. Yet, speculation around Tuchel's choices has been rampant, especially when notable players were excluded.
Despite strong performances, Djed Spence found himself on the sidelines. Having been nominated for February's Premier League Player of the Month due to his outstanding play at left-back under manager Ange Postecoglou, many expected Spence to earn his first international call-up. Instead, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who primarily plays midfield but was selected as a makeshift left-back, took his spot. Alongside Skelly were Levi Colwill and Dan Burn, both of whom are more often seen playing as center-backs. The consensus among fans and analysts was clear: Spence's continual absence from the squad was harsh.
Compounding matters, the notable exclusion of James Maddison sparked bewilderment. The attacking midfielder had communicated with Tuchel, expressing hope for inclusion following his impressive performance against AZ Alkmaar. Many fans felt his current form, alongside being touted by Tuchel when he was at Chelsea, should have secured him a position. Instead, Tuchel opted for players like Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, who had also put together strong seasons. This left many wondering what more Maddison could do to warrant selection.
Criticism of the selections didn't fall solely on Maddison and Spence; former player and pundit Troy Deeney voiced his frustrations over Marcus Rashford's inclusion. Despite having contributed four assists since joining Aston Villa, Rashford has not scored during his last nine appearances. "I think he has to be in the squad though because as we know, there’s not a deep pool of number nines. I want to make this very clear; this is not about Marcus Rashford. It’s about the other guys who have been working week in, week out and putting in stellar performances and then being overlooked because of the name of Marcus Rashford," Deeney said during his appearance on TalkSPORT.
Tuchel's decision to hand out call-ups to players like Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn, who are less recognized on the international stage, added fuel to the fire. Fans quickly took to social media to voice their disbelief. Some expressed sympathy for Spence, lauding him as one of the best-performing full-backs recently, and calling it outrageous not to see him selected. Others echoed the sentiment, arguing for Morgan Gibbs-White and even rising star Ethan Nwaneri, who has been nothing short of spectacular for Arsenal, as more deserving inclusions.
Reflecting on the overall sentiment surrounding the squad announcement, many fans felt the selections overlooked those who have been 'grinding' and performing consistently. Critiques were raised about Tuchel's approach—a coach who had only just begun his tenure but now had to face the repercussions of such selection decisions.
Spence himself maintained a positive outlook amid the disappointment, stating, "Who doesn’t want to play for their country? That’s something I’m looking forward to. If I get called up, happy days, if I don’t, I’ll just keep working hard. I haven’t heard from anyone. I’m just focusing on right now, I just want to keep playing well and help the team win games.” This resilience characterizes the spirit of players hoping to realize their international ambitions.
With the World Cup qualifiers set to commence soon, Tuchel’s handling of the squad selection will undoubtedly come under closer scrutiny, and upcoming matches against Albania and Latvia will serve as the platform to showcase the effectiveness of his choices. Will the squad and its selections manage to make their mark on the field and provide answers to their critics? Only time will tell, as England fans hold their breaths for the upcoming fixtures.