England squad announcement LIVE: Ivan Toney recalled as Thomas Tuchel names players for June internationals
The Three Lions will play Andorra in a World Cup qualifier before taking on Senegal
With the domestic season coming to a close this weekend focus shifts to the next round of international football with England manager Thomas Tuchel naming his squad for June’s international fixtures later today.
Tuchel has overseen two wins from two since taking charge of the Three Lions at the start of the year and England sit top of Group K in Europe’s World Cup qualifiers. They defeated Albania 2-0 and Latvia 3-0 during Tuchel’s first camp with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze and Harry Kane in particular impressing the German coach.
The next camp is preparing to face Andorra, who have lost both of their qualifiers so far, before an international friendly against Senegal which should prove to be a sterner test for Tuchel’s charges.
Phil Foden looks set to miss out on a place in the squad while he recovers from an ankle injury and it remains to be seen if Tuchel will persist with Marcus Rashford who has been sidelined with a hamstring problem.
We’ll have all the updates from Tuchel’s squad announcement and press conference with our live blog below:
Foden on season of struggles
“It’s been a frustrating season for me,” Phil Foden continued when speaking about his summer rehabilitation plans.
“I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. It’s one of them, sometimes there’s things in life that are bigger than football.
“This season I’ve struggled a little bit. Hopefully, come next year, I can get my head mentally right, get back where I left the season before, because I know what I’m capable of doing and the quality I have.
“I know if everything was okay, I’d definitely be better on the field. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on.”
Foden to prioritise mental health?
Phil Foden’s confidence has been knocked this season by a nagging ankle injury which hasn’t allowed him to perform to his previously high levels.
He has spoken about the toll the injury has taken on his mental health and as such hopes to use the summer to fully recuperate both physically and mentally.
But there is little time in the schedule with England playing internationals in June and Man City needing to play in the Club World Cup.
Foden is considering sitting out of both camps to prioritise his mental well being but hasn’t made a decision yet.
He said: “It’s a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner. It’s something we have to speak with the club and national team to see, maybe, if it’s better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 per cent back how I want it.
“I just need a few weeks off it without playing football and obviously I can’t get it at the moment. It’s a bit frustrating to play with niggles like this. It’s getting better and stronger each day.”
Phil Foden may miss Club World Cup and upcoming England games to manage ankle injury
Phil Foden believes he may need to miss England’s summer internationals and the Club World Cup to allow his ankle problem to heal, as he admitted to struggling mentally with issues both on and off the pitch during a difficult season.
The Manchester City player attributed a “frustrating” year to injury and other factors, as he opened up about the toughest campaign of his career.
Phil Foden may miss Club World Cup and upcoming England games to manage ankle injury
Dan Ashworth returns to FA as new role revealed after Manchester United exit
Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has returned to the Football Association after being appointed chief football officer.
The 54-year-old served as the governing body’s director of elite development between 2013 and 2018 before taking positions at Brighton and Newcastle ahead of an ill-fated five-month stay at Old Trafford which ended in December.
The newly-created role will see Ashworth take oversight of the England men’s and women’s teams.
Dan Ashworth returns to FA as new role revealed after Manchester United exit
Tuchel on playing at Villa Park
When England face Andorra at Villa Park in September it will be the second meeting between the teams (following June’s clash) and the second outing away from Wembley for Tuchel’s Three Lions.
Nottingham Forest’s City Ground is staging June’s meeting with Senegal on Tuesday 10 June.
Tuchel said: “We're excited to play at Villa Park; another stadium full of history.
“I know from my own visits to the stadium this season that it is capable of creating an outstanding atmosphere and is located close to St. George’s Park which is a positive for our preparation.
“We hope to be able to generate another special atmosphere and create a memorable occasion for all fans.”
England to face Andorra at Villa Park
Villa Park will host England’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday 6 September (5pm BST kick-off).
The fixture will be the Three Lions’ fourth game on the road to Canada, Mexico and the United States.
It will be the first time in over 20 years that the home of Aston Villa has hosted a senior men’s international with the last being a goalless draw with the Netherlands in February 2005.
In total, Villa Park has welcomed the Three Lions on nine previous occasions with the first of those against Scotland in April 1899.
Thomas Tuchel explains what England were missing at Euro 2024: ‘They were afraid’
Thomas Tuchel maintains England were “afraid” at last summer’s Euro 2024 following an agonising defeat in the final to Spain.
The Three Lions boss is adamant his side can find the missing piece on the road to the 2026 World Cup, hoping to discover “excitement”.
And Tuchel will be able to showcase his vision of England for the first time on Friday when England face Albania, though he remained emphatic when assessing where Gareth Southgate’s side fell short a year ago.
Thomas Tuchel explains what England were missing at Euro 2024: ‘They were afraid’
Henderson to be included again?
Will Jordan Henderson be called up to the England squad again?
That is another question waiting to be answered by today’s squad announcement.
It was a surprise to see the former Liverpool captain included back in March but Thomas Tuchel explained his reasoning.
“Why Jordan? Easy one,” said Tuchel. “He’s a serial winner, captain of Ajax, always available, played a lot of matches and played in the European Cup.
“What he brings to every team is leadership, character, personality, energy. He makes sure everyone lives by the standards. With this characteristic, he embodies everything we are trying to build.
“We try to build a team for our fans, we try to build a team they’re proud of, they can identify with and is hopefully an exciting watch. Jordan brings everything and embodies everything of what we want this team to be.”
Based on that it wouldn’t be a shock if Henderson is back again for June’s matches.
Which fringe players will be included?
England squads tend to be made up of players from the ‘big six’ clubs in the Premier League but with this season throwing up surprises and a resurgence from the likes of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Crystal Palace there is more of a case to widen the net when selecting the next bunch of England players.
Midfielders Adam Wharton, who helped Crystal Palace to the FA Cup, and Elliot Anderson, pivotal to Nottingham Forest’s Champions League qualification bid, could be among those on Tuchel’s radar.
So too, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy while Arsenal’s Ben White might also be in line for a recall following his exile since the 2022 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel expected to name strong squad for Andorra and Senegal games
England boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to name a strong squad ahead of the forthcoming games against Andorra and Senegal.
Tuchel, preparing for his second camp since starting work as Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor in January, will announce his group on Friday for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 7 and the City Ground friendly against the African side three days later.
Despite the exertions of a long season for his stars Tuchel should call most of them up for the two games.
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