Four Unlucky Players Not Included In Thomas Tuchel’s England Squad

After four months of Premier League and European action, it is time again to take a break and relax from club football as it is time for players to jet away and represent their countries. After the resignation of Gareth Southgate last year, it is now time for the first camp of German manager Thomas Tuchel in the Wembley dugouts.

During his first team selection, Tuchel has raised some eyebrows and drew several questions from England fans after surprise selections of players such as Dan Burn, James Trafford, and the re-call of veteran Jordan Henderson. However, who are the English players, unlucky to have missed out on Tuchel’s first camp and could have been representing the Three Lions against Albania and Latvia?

Djed Spence

Djed Spence looked like an outcast at Tottenham under Antonio Conte, missing in matchday squads and shipped out on loan to Rennes, Leeds, and Genoa with the 22-year-old looking destined for a move from North London. However, after the Spurs backline has been hit with several injuries this season, Spence was given his chance in Lilywhite.

Operating as a left back to provide cover for Destiny Udogie, the former Middlesborough man has become a key part of the Tottenham defence, making 15 appearances (10 being starts). Spence has been excellent in the inverted role for Ange Postecoglou – averaging 2.22 successful dribbles, 2.31 tackles won, and 4.99 recoveries per 90. And while the Three Lions are without Luke Shaw due to injury, there is not a nailed-down left back in the England squad. Myles Lewis Skelly has been given his chance to impress but Djed Spence would have been a perfect and well-deserved pick for Tuchel’s squad.

Elliot Anderson

A teammate of the selected Morgan Gibbs-White’s and a summer signing at the City Ground - Elliot Anderson has been a key and underrated cog in the Nottingham Forest machine, pulling the strings from central midfield. Anderson joined the Reds from Newcastle in the summer as typically a creative and attacking midfield but under the mentorship of Espirito Santo, Anderson has turned into a complete midfielder, sitting above 60% of Premier League midfielders for touches, chances created, shot attempts, aerial duels won and defensive actions.

While he has been included in the England Under 21s squad to face France and Portugal, Anderson will be disappointed, not playing on the biggest of stages and making his senior debut under the Wembley arch.

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Jarrad Branthwaite

Similarly to Anderson, he has been selected for the England Under 21s, but Jarrad Branthwaite is another player unlucky to miss out on Tuchel’s first squad. After suffering a spell out due to injury, Branthwaite has been a rock at the back for Everton, with his strength and physical presence being a key success under the return of David Moyes.

In the Premier League, Branthwaite wins 56.7% of his tackles, and 63.6% of his duels to be won, while comparatively recording 3.20 recoveries and 1.21 interceptions per 90. As Branthwaite will be included with the 21s, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Jarrell Quansah, and Levi Collwill were the centre halves preferred by the German manager.

Ethan Nwaneri

Various other players could be selected for the fourth unlucky player to miss out. But football is all about excitement and entertainment, and that is exactly what Ethan Nwaneri is all about. At just 17 years of age, Nwaneri has had a dazzling young career for Arsenal’s Under 18 and 21s youth teams, before becoming the Premier League and Arsenal’s youngest player at 15 years and 181 days old.

However, after several of Arsenal’s frontline suffered injuries, it has been a breakout season in England’s top flight for Nwaneri, the teenager making 18 appearances in the Premier League. Within those 18 matches, the 17-year-old has scored three goals and assisted one goal for Mikel Arteta’s side as he continued to impress with his maturity and ability at such a young age. Although big hitters such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Anthony Gordon have been selected to play on the wings for England’s senior team, the 17-year-old, alongside his teenage teammate in Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri could have been an intriguing selection for Tuchel, handing the Hale End youngster a chance to learn and a foreshadowing of a player that could one day be a shadow for England.