Thomas Tuchel sparked debate among Three Lions supporters when he revealed his first England squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers last week.
Veteran stars such as Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson – who both play outside of England having entered the twilight of their respective careers – made the list.
There was also a recall for Marcus Rashford, who has found form after leaving Manchester United to join Aston Villa on loan.
The likes of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi were left out – despite their impressive form in the English top-flight as they bid to qualify for the Champions League, although the former was latterly added.
Many felt aggrieved for the snubbed stars – which also included Tottenham full-back Djed Spence – and took to social media to vent their frustrations with Tuchel.
But, were they right to do so? Well, our friends at Sofascore have provided the definitive list of which players should (and should not) have been included.
Thomas Tuchel named his first squad as England manager last week ahead of two World Cup qualifiers
Jordan Henderson was among Tuchel’s surprise selections for games against Albania and Latvia
England’s stars have been training this week prior to the meeting with Albania on Friday
GOALKEEPERS
Tuchel’s picks: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Sofascore’s picks: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
In his squad announcement, Tuchel opted to name four goalkeepers despite England playing just two matches during the March break: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford.
Sofascore’s stats suggest that the German coach has got it spot on in regard to his selection – with the four players being the highest rated this year.
However, the stat boffins suggested that just three goalkeepers are needed for the upcoming fixtures – with Newcastle’s Nick Pope falling just short.
His 7.05 average rating from this season is bettered by Ramsdale (7.08), Trafford (7.08) and Pickford (7.21).
Jordan Pickford is the highest-rated English goalkeeper this season, according to SofaScore
DEFENDERS
Tuchel’s picks: Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah and Kyle Walker
Sofascore’s picks: James Tarkowski, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guehi, Charlie Cresswell, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Rico Lewis, Dan Burn, Tyrick Mitchell
This is where things get tricky.
According to Sofascore, there are a number of notable omissions when it comes to Tuchel’s defensive selections for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Their stats suggest that the likes of Levi Colwill, Ezri Konsa and Reece James should not have been called up and instead offered some interesting names.
They claim that, in central defence, the best options would have been James Tarkowski, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guehi and Charlie Cresswell.
Everton’s Tarkowski and Chelsea’s Adarabioyo have been integral to the success of their respective sides throughout the campaign and were unlucky to miss out.
The stats show Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo should have received a shock call-up
Levi Colwill was selected by Tuchel but the numbers suggest he should have been left out
The ratings claim that Djed Spence has been one of the best English full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues
Meanwhile, Toulouse defender Cresswell earned a surprising shout to be included after accruing an average rating of 7.18 for his displays in the French league.
Since joining the French outfit from Leeds last summer, the 22-year-old has made 24 appearances for the side who currently sit 10th in the league table.
Meanwhile, the stats also suggest that Tuchel was wrong to select the likes of Kyle Walker and Myles Lewis-Skelly for the upcoming matches.
The ratings claim that Djed Spence, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Dan Burn and Tyrick Mitchell have been the best English full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues.
Spence, particularly, will feel hard done by after shining for Tottenham on both the left and right side amid their ongoing injury struggles.
There was also no space for Tino Livramento or Jarell Quansah in Sofascore’s list.
MIDFIELDERS
Tuchel’s picks: Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers
Sofascore’s picks: Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, James Maddison, Morgan Gibbs-White
Moving into the midfield and it’s fair to say that Tuchel made some good calls.
Jude Bellingham would have been one of the first names on Tuchel’s first England squad list
Tottenham star James Maddison was not called up by Tuchel for the two qualifying clashes
The selections of Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers are all supported by the stats.
But Sofascore’s stats say James Maddison should have been included. The Tottenham star has a 7.31 rating so far this season, with only Forest’s Gibbs-White (7.30) – a late call-up amid injury concerns over Palmer – below him on their list.
Palmer (7.61) and Bellingham (7.54) are the two highest-rated midfielders in Tuchel’s squad, according to their figures.
Sofascore believe Tuchel was wrong to pick Jordan Henderson, arguably the England manager’s most controversial selection, and Curtis Jones.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Henderson has struggled at Ajax but the German gave him the nod for the upcoming fixtures, with the decision met by widespread criticism.
But Tuchel said: ‘I think his career and the way he plays now and imposes himself at Ajax is just so impressive.
‘He builds on character, personality and energy that he brings to the team. For me, Jordan is a similar call-up for the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders and they carry their teams.
‘It’s absolutely reliable what they bring in terms of energy and this is where the focus is also for us to build a strong team and a cohesive team. Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us.’
Morgan Gibbs-White (centre) was a late call-up amid concerns over Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
FORWARDS
Tuchel’s picks: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke
Sofascore’s picks: Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Dominic Solanke
Tuchel has also followed the stats when it comes to the forwards.
Sofascore believes the only error the new manager has made is selecting Marcus Rashford, recalled to the squad for the first time in a year, over Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Rashford has made nine appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa since joining on loan from Man United and while he has yet to score, the forward has made a valuable contribution, including notching four assists.
Nottingham Forest star Callum Hudson-Odoi can count himself unlucky not to be included
Tuchel instead favoured the likes of Marcus Rashford, who has been recalled to the side
He has shown signs of a revival under Unai Emery, responding impressively to being left out of Man United’s squad in the final weeks of his time at his boyhood club.
And Rashford was rewarded by being one of the headline inclusions in Tuchel’s first squad – but Sofascore’s stats say his place should have gone to Hudson-Odoi.
The Forest forward is their third-highest ranked of the season so far with a rating of 7.18. Only Harry Kane (7.74) and Foden (7.37) have scored higher.
But Hudson-Odoi’s form for Champions League-chasing Forest, including five goals and two assists, was not enough to earn a call-up.
