Thomas Tuchel’s First England Squad: Players Eligible for International Switches
Thomas Tuchel’s inaugural England squad announcement arrives this Friday, with several talented players still eligible to represent multiple nations internationally. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager officially began his England tenure on January 1st and has reportedly created a 55-man shortlist that must be trimmed to 26 for his first matches against Albania and Latvia at Wembley.
While England has previously benefited from players like Declan Rice and Jack Grealish choosing the Three Lions over other nations, Tuchel’s selections could significantly impact the international futures of several dual-nationality stars. Here are the key players who could still switch allegiances:
Young Talents with Multiple Options
Several promising youngsters face important international decisions:
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (Barbados) – The 18-year-old Arsenal talent, drawing comparisons to Ashley Cole, has represented England at youth level but remains eligible for Barbados.
- Ethan Nwaneri (Nigeria) – Another Arsenal wonderkid making impressive strides who represented England at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship but has Nigerian family roots.
- Archie Gray (Scotland) – The Tottenham midfielder has impressed since his £40 million move from Leeds and comes from Scottish footballing royalty – his father, grandfather, and great uncle all represented Scotland.
- Elliot Anderson (Scotland) – Nottingham Forest’s in-form midfielder has represented both England and Scotland at U21 level and was called up to Scotland’s senior squad in 2023 before withdrawing through injury.
The Premier League continues to produce players with diverse heritage options:
- Jarell Quansah (Scotland, Ghana, Barbados) – The Liverpool defender was in England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad but didn’t make the final cut. Through his grandparents, he could represent three different nations.
- Liam Delap (Republic of Ireland) – The Ipswich Town striker, son of throwing specialist Rory Delap who represented Ireland, has scored 10 goals in 27 appearances this season.
- Jobe Bellingham (Republic of Ireland) – The younger brother of England star Jude Bellingham plays for Sunderland and, like his sibling, qualifies for Ireland through a paternal grandfather.
Players who’ve already had complex international journeys include:
- Mason Greenwood (Jamaica) – The former Manchester United forward, now at Marseille, earned one England cap in 2020 but has reportedly switched allegiance to Jamaica according to the FA’s chief executive.
- Omari Hutchinson (Jamaica) – The Ipswich Town star played twice for Jamaica in 2023 before accepting an England U21 call-up in August. FIFA rules allow him to switch as he played fewer than three competitive matches before turning 21.
- Callum Hudson-Odoi (Ghana) – The Nottingham Forest winger made three England appearances in 2019 but remains eligible for Ghana. After scoring against Manchester City recently, he expressed openness to an England return.
Tuchel’s selections will not only shape England’s immediate future but potentially determine the international paths of numerous talented players. With a blend of established internationals and emerging prospects, his first squad announcement represents a pivotal moment that extends beyond simply naming 26 players.
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