England squad: Tuchel drops Trent Alexander-Arnold and hands debuts to Elliot Anderson, Djed Spence
Sep, 7 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first weeks at Real Madrid have already changed his England picture. Thomas Tuchel has left the right-back out of his 24-man group for September’s World Cup qualifiers, saying the defender needs time to bed in after his summer move to Spain. In the same breath, the manager opened the door for two newcomers: Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham full-back Djed Spence.
The stakes are immediate. England host Andorra at Villa Park on September 9, then head to Belgrade’s Marakana to face Serbia in a very different kind of test. After boos greeted the end of England’s last two internationals, Tuchel’s choices feel like a statement on standards, fitness, and form.
Tuchel’s big calls: Alexander-Arnold out, debutants in
Tuchel’s reasoning on Alexander-Arnold was blunt and practical. “After a change of club, I think he’s got to have a bit of time to settle,” he said. The 26-year-old started Madrid’s La Liga opener, then dropped to the bench for the next game with Dani Carvajal back fit. For a player who thrives on rhythm, the timing is awkward—and Tuchel clearly doesn’t want to disrupt that process from afar.
Right-back is covered. Reece James returns from Chelsea, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento continues his rise, and Spence—comfortable on either flank and aggressive in transition—earns a first senior call. The message is clear: places are open, but you have to be ready to play now.
Anderson’s selection is equally bold. The Forest midfielder caught the eye with the Under-21s in the summer, pressing hard, carrying the ball through traffic, and showing the kind of off-the-ball discipline staff value in qualifiers where patience usually decides the outcome. Tuchel’s squads have leaned toward mobile, two-way midfielders who can shift shape on the fly—Anderson fits that brief.
There’s experience coming back, too. Marcus Rashford, now on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, returns to give England direct running and a threat in behind. John Stones is back after injury, restoring balance to a defense that had missed his calm passing into midfield.
Not everyone made it. Jack Grealish, trying to reboot at Everton, is left out. Ivan Toney misses this window with Rashford back. Cole Palmer is sidelined after hurting himself in the warm-up before Chelsea’s 5-1 win over West Ham. Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham are still recovering—Bellingham recently had shoulder surgery—and won’t be risked.
Here’s the snapshot of Tuchel’s key decisions so far:
- Out: Trent Alexander-Arnold (settling at Real Madrid), Jack Grealish, Ivan Toney, Cole Palmer (injury), Bukayo Saka (rehab), Jude Bellingham (shoulder surgery).
- In: Elliot Anderson (first call-up), Djed Spence (first call-up), Reece James, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford, John Stones.
- Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City).
- Defensive options also include Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), and Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal).
It’s not just names. It’s balance. With James and Spence, Tuchel has two athletic wingback profiles who can press high and recover. Livramento gives a more traditional defensive angle and tidy build-up. Stones’ return allows England to switch between a back four and a back three mid-game without using a substitution.
What the squad says about England’s plan
This feels like a manager picking for the next two games, not the next two years. Andorra at Villa Park will likely be about breaking down a deep block with width, quick one-touch combinations, and lots of second balls around the box. Serbia away flips the script—hostile atmosphere, direct play to manage, and plenty of set-piece traffic. Tuchel’s choices reflect both realities.
In attack, Rashford’s pace means England can stretch Andorra’s line early or keep Serbia honest on the counter. Without Saka and Bellingham, creativity has to come from wider rotations and midfield runners rather than one superstar conductor. That’s where Anderson’s engine matters, along with ball-carrying from deeper defenders like Stones.
Set pieces could be decisive, especially in Belgrade. Burn and Konsa offer aerial size, while Guéhi gives clean restarts under pressure. If England go with James on dead balls, expect near-post screens and second-phase shots from the edge. These details are how you kill noise in a difficult stadium.
Fitness management is the other theme. Tuchel’s explanation on Alexander-Arnold wasn’t a public rebuke; it was workload management. The same applies to Saka and Bellingham. September qualifiers are about keeping doors open and injuries closed. If England bank six points, the gamble looks smart. If they don’t, every omission gets replayed in high definition.
Form also matters. Grealish has work to do at Everton before he forces his way back. Toney, a specialist finisher, will need minutes and sharpness to dislodge returning forwards. Palmer’s setback is bad timing, not a judgment call; he’s been central for Chelsea, and his chance will come once he’s fit.
The goalkeeper group stays steady. Pickford’s experience in tight away qualifiers is hard to replicate, Henderson is in good club rhythm, and Trafford adds another ball-playing option if England lean into short build-up against Andorra. Expect rotation only if the first game goes to plan.
Context matters here. England have been booed off twice in a row. That frustration came from slow tempo, loose transitions, and stale attacking patterns. This squad tries to fix those issues with pace, pressing options at fullback, and extra legs in midfield. If the ball moves quicker and the counter-press sticks, the noise will change.
The schedule helps. Villa Park should suit a front-foot approach on a compact pitch with fans right on top of it. Then comes the Marakana, where you earn points the hard way. Tuchel has picked a group that can do both jobs: probe patiently on Sunday, suffer together on Wednesday.
Among the 24 names, confirmed inclusions are Reece James, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, Elliot Anderson, Marcus Rashford, John Stones, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and goalkeepers Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, and James Trafford, with others filling out the roster. The blend is deliberate—experience at the spine, energy on the flanks, and a couple of wild cards to change a game that drifts.
For now, the spotlight sits on one call above the rest. Alexander-Arnold has the quality to be back quickly once his Madrid rhythm returns. Tuchel has left that door open. Until then, England will lean on the players who are match-ready right now, aiming to calm the mood with performance, not just names.
Two games, six points up for grabs, and a plan that looks tuned to the moment. If it clicks, the England squad for October will look very different—and that’s exactly how Tuchel wants it.
Rahul Sharma
September 7, 2025 AT 18:51Tuchel's decision to bench Trent is crystal clear; the right‑back just moved to Madrid, needs time to settle, and you can't force rhythm from a distance; the squad depth at full‑back is massive, with Reece James and Djed Spence ready to cover both flanks; this move also sends a strong message that current form outweighs past prestige; moreover, it gives younger players a chance to prove themselves in crucial qualifiers.
Emily Kadanec
September 8, 2025 AT 17:04i think this is definetly the right move, alex cant even get used to madrid yet so why expect him to perform for england? plus we got spence and anderson ready to step up.
william wijaya
September 9, 2025 AT 15:17When Thomas Tuchel unfolds his squad for the September qualifiers, the narrative is less about celebrity and more about the chemistry of a high‑intensity engine. He is looking for players who can execute a fluid gegenpress while maintaining positional discipline. The inclusion of Elliot Anderson adds a dynamic box‑to‑box presence that can transition the ball from defense to attack in a single heartbeat. Djed Spence, whose versatility allows him to operate on either flank, brings the kind of verticality that modern English football craves. Reece James returns with a blend of aerial prowess and crossing precision that will stretch any low block. Tino Livramento offers a traditional defensive anchor, giving Tuchel the option to shift between a back four and a back three without a substitution. Marcus Rashford provides the pace to exploit the spaces left by compact opponents, especially in the Andorra fixture. John Stones adds composure on the ball, enabling short passing sequences that break down deep defenses. The balance between youth and experience is deliberately calibrated; veteran heads calm the nerves while youngsters inject energy. By sidelining Alexander‑Arnold, Tuchel acknowledges that rhythm cannot be manufactured overnight after a high‑profile transfer. The decision reflects a broader trend of managing player workloads to avoid burnout in a congested international calendar. Moreover, the squad’s depth ensures that injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka or Jude Bellingham can be mitigated. Tactical flexibility is paramount, and each selected player offers at least two viable roles within the system. The upcoming matches in Villa Park and Marakana will test this adaptability, forcing Tuchel to rotate and adjust on the fly. Ultimately, the success of this selection hinges on the squad’s ability to execute a unified pressing strategy while remaining defensively resilient.
Lemuel Belleza
September 10, 2025 AT 13:31Honestly, the bench looks stronger than the starting eleven.
faye ambit
September 11, 2025 AT 11:44The equilibrium of this roster reflects a deeper philosophical commitment to collective growth rather than individual grandeur. By granting debutants a platform, Tuchel subtly invites the entire squad to embrace humility and shared responsibility. This inclusive approach can foster a sense of belonging that transcends the usual hierarchy seen in international sides. When players perceive that merit, not reputation, dictates selection, the team's cohesion naturally strengthens. Such an environment may prove decisive in high‑pressure moments where unity outweighs raw talent.
Subhash Choudhary
September 12, 2025 AT 09:57Appreciate the breakdown, especially the bit about James and Spence covering both wings – that flexibility will be crucial in the away game.
Ethan Smith
September 13, 2025 AT 08:11The inclusion of Djed Spence provides tactical flexibility on both sides of the pitch, which is essential given the varied opposition.
Evelyn Monroig
September 14, 2025 AT 06:24What they don't tell you is that the federation is secretly steering the selections to favor certain sponsors' interests, and the dropping of Alexander‑Arnold is a symptom of that hidden agenda.
Gerald Hornsby
September 15, 2025 AT 04:37Spence is a wrecking ball 🚀
Hina Tiwari
September 16, 2025 AT 02:51i realy think this squad will be a great chance for the new players to shine, but we need patience.
WILL WILLIAMS
September 17, 2025 AT 01:04Let's rally behind the debutants and show the world what English grit looks like!