Marcus Rashford Earns Recall After Aston Villa Loan
Marcus Rashford has made a surprising return to the England squad under new manager Thomas Tuchel. The Aston Villa forward, on loan from Manchester United, last played for England in March 2024 but has impressed in recent weeks with his work rate and creativity. While he has yet to score for Villa, his four assists have been enough to convince Tuchel that he deserves another shot at international football.
The German coach praised Rashford’s defensive efforts and overall impact on the pitch, highlighting his determination and energy as key reasons for his inclusion. Rashford’s resurgence at Villa follows a frustrating period at Manchester United, where he struggled for game time under Ruben Amorim.
Debut Call-Ups for Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Newcastle defender Dan Burn and Arsenal’s young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly are among the fresh faces in Tuchel’s squad. Burn, 32, has been a consistent performer for Newcastle and finally gets his long-awaited England call-up after years of dedication in the lower leagues. His journey from non-league football to the national team has been described by Eddie Howe as “one of the great football stories.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly has rapidly risen through Arsenal’s ranks. Primarily a left-back but also capable of playing in midfield, he has impressed with his versatility and maturity in his breakthrough season.
Veteran Jordan Henderson Returns to the Squad
Another major talking point is the return of Jordan Henderson. The 34-year-old Ajax midfielder last played for England in November 2023 and had a turbulent spell following his move to Saudi Arabia before returning to European football. While Henderson’s recall is unexpected, Tuchel values his experience and leadership qualities, opting to bring him back into the fold ahead of younger midfielders like Adam Wharton.
Striker Options: Kane, Solanke, and Watkins
Harry Kane remains England’s primary attacking threat, but Tuchel has also included Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, who recently returned from injury. Solanke has scored seven goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season and will provide additional firepower alongside Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who has been in top form but suffered a minor knee injury in the Champions League.
England’s Upcoming Matches in World Cup Qualifying
England will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with two matches at Wembley:
- March 21 vs Albania
- March 24 vs Latvia
Both matches will begin at 19:45 GMT as Tuchel looks to start his tenure with strong performances.
Full England Squad Announced by Tuchel
Full England Squad Announced by Tuchel
Goalkeepers:
Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders:
Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards:
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tuchel’s first England squad features a mix of experience, fresh talent, and players looking to prove themselves at the international level. With Rashford’s return, new faces like Burn and Lewis-Skelly, and the surprising recall of Henderson, the squad signals a new era under Tuchel’s leadership.
