Tuchel to name compact England squad as Klopp fields 44 for Germany's Nations League
Thomas Tuchel will name a standard-sized squad for England's four Nations League games in ten days, rejecting the approach taken by Germany boss Jurgen Klopp, who called up 44 players across two separate groups. John Stones, Ben White, and both Hendersons are set to miss out through injury.
Thomas Tuchel will name a squad of roughly 23 players — with a handful of additional call-ups — for England’s four UEFA Nations League fixtures across ten days, resisting the approach adopted by Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp, who summoned 44 players in two separate groups for the same international window.
England face Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, before travelling to the Czech Republic three days later. They then visit Croatia on Saturday, 3 October, and return to Wembley to face the Czechs again on 6 October. The condensed schedule means some Premier League clubs will go 21 days without a top-flight fixture before action resumes on 10 October.
Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad across the four games rather than risk key players in every fixture. International managers are free to name as many players as they wish, but squad size is capped on matchdays. The England head coach is set to announce his selection on Friday.
The extended break could open the door for several fringe players. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have all caught Tuchel’s eye, while Fulham’s Josh King has also impressed the manager. Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Hall are also under consideration. Scott, King, and Ngumoha all travelled with England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida and are understood to have made a positive impression, as did Ethan Nwaneri before his loan move to Borussia Dortmund.
On the injury front, John Stones is expected to miss out after leaving the field hurt for Inter Milan, while Ben White is a doubt and both Jordan Henderson and Dean Henderson are ruled out. Djed Spence has also been absent.
Everton’s Jarrad Braithwaite has performed well in matches Tuchel has attended, and Brighton’s Jason Steele looks set to be named as third-choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford and James Trafford — a reward for the veteran stopper who was part of the training setup at the World Cup.
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