Jarrad Branthwaite has been hailed as England’s future, but he didn’t make the cut for Thomas Tuchel’s first squad.
Branthwaite was among several notable absences, with Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, Rico Lewis, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Ollie Watkins also left out.
Tuchel, however, has already clarified that his main focus is to win the World Cup, rather than follow the “England pathway” like Gareth Southgate. This approach has led to the inclusion of seasoned players like Jordan Henderson.
After the World Cup qualification draw, Tuchel emphasized that England’s best squad may not always feature the best individual players.
Southgate, formerly the U21s manager, prioritized youth development and gradually integrating emerging talents into the senior squad. In contrast, Tuchel was appointed as a proven winner with the aim of securing victories, not nurturing future stars.
“When we can build this quickly, our fans will notice and it will give us an extra boost,” Tuchel explained when discussing his decisions. “The focus is not only on talent or quality, but on what players bring to the group and how they contribute as teammates.”
He further praised Henderson: “His career and the way he’s playing at Ajax is incredibly impressive. He builds on character, personality, and the energy he brings to the team.
“For me, Jordan’s inclusion is similar to Dan Burn’s. Both players carry the values of leadership and reliability, and they consistently bring energy to their teams. Our focus is on building a strong and cohesive unit, and Jordan is a key piece of that puzzle.”
Tuchel also spoke highly of Rashford: “He’s made a significant impact in recent matches, especially against Aston Villa. I was impressed by his effort on the ball and his commitment to being the best teammate possible, along with his constant energy.
“There’s no doubt about his talent and quality, but to see him so decisive and physically involved made me feel it’s the right moment to bring him in and give him that extra push to maintain his level.”
Brutal reason Jarrad Branthwaite missed out on England squad – but Henderson got in
