Thomas Tuchel has wasted no time making his mark as England manager, with his first squad announcement featuring a notable presence from Crystal Palace. The German tactician included three Palace players in his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. This decision comes just days after he reportedly sent a text message to four of the club’s first-team stars, hinting at his close monitoring of their performances.
Tuchel’s squad selection, unveiled on Friday morning, contained several surprises. Among the unexpected inclusions were Manchester City’s experienced full-back Kyle Walker, Liverpool youngster Jarell Quansah, and Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson. Henderson’s call-up raised eyebrows, as he was preferred over younger English midfielders like Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton, despite growing calls for the latter’s inclusion.
Tuchel’s Message to Palace Quartet Before Selection
In the days leading up to his squad announcement, Tuchel reached out to Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, and Dean Henderson via text, showing his intent to keep a close eye on their development. Speaking about this interaction, Palace goalkeeper Henderson revealed in a recent interview that Tuchel’s message was a welcome sign of encouragement.
“I’ll be honest, I’d love to play for England this time around and get another cap. It’s something I’m chasing—it’s one of my goals,” Henderson admitted. “He [Tuchel] texted before the game, and it’s nice to know that he’s watching. He told me he’d be at the game, sitting in the stands, and he wished me all the best. He did the same with Adam [Wharton], Marc [Guehi], and Ebs [Eberechi Eze]. So, it’s great to know he’s paying attention.”
Henderson further emphasized his focus on controlling what he can on the pitch: “All I can do is focus on my performances—doing my job for the team and playing the way the manager wants me to. I want to keep stepping up in big moments, and I feel like I’ve been doing that.”
Wharton Misses Out, Despite Tuchel’s Interest
Despite being one of Palace’s standout performers in recent weeks, particularly in their emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, Adam Wharton did not make the final cut for Tuchel’s senior squad. Instead, he was selected for Lee Carsley’s England U21 side for their upcoming friendlies against Portugal and France. The young midfielder delivered an outstanding performance against Aston Villa, earning the Man of the Match award while Tuchel watched from the stands. However, it appears that wasn’t enough to secure him a senior call-up this time around.
Tuchel instead opted for a mix of experience and youthful energy in midfield, selecting Curtis Jones, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, and Jordan Henderson. While Wharton’s omission may come as a disappointment to some, his continued development under the watchful eye of the England boss suggests he remains firmly in contention for future squads.
Tuchel Justifies Henderson’s Inclusion
One of the most debated selections in Tuchel’s squad was the recall of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who has been impressing at Ajax following his move from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq. Addressing his decision to bring Henderson back into the fold, Tuchel highlighted the veteran midfielder’s leadership qualities and energy on the pitch.
“We called Hendo back up because I think his career trajectory and the way he plays now at Ajax is just so impressive,” Tuchel explained. “He builds everything on character, personality, and energy. He’s a leader, and that’s invaluable for us as we try to build a cohesive team as quickly as possible.”
Tuchel likened Henderson’s influence to that of Newcastle defender Dan Burn, emphasizing the importance of players who bring experience and reliability to the squad. “Jordan, like Dan Burn, carries these values on his shoulders. He leads by example, he lifts his teammates, and he’s absolutely dependable when it comes to what he offers in terms of energy and commitment,” Tuchel added.
A Bold Start for Tuchel’s England Tenure
Tuchel’s first squad selection signals his intent to blend experience with emerging talent while keeping a close eye on players making an impact at their clubs. The inclusion of three Crystal Palace players—Guehi, Eze, and Henderson—demonstrates his faith in the South London club’s rising stars, while his personal outreach to Wharton suggests the midfielder remains on his radar.
With England’s World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, all eyes will be on Tuchel’s selections to see how his bold choices shape the team’s performances. For those who missed out, like Wharton, the message is clear—Tuchel is watching, and opportunities will come for those who continue to impress.
Thomas Tuchel leaves England player out of first squad days after texting him that he was watching at his last game
