England: Who could make Thomas Tuchel’s first squad?

England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first squad next week for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

The former Chelsea boss has been officially in post since the turn of the year and has taken in plenty of Premier League football already.

But – with a few regulars out injured and a new eye cast on the pack – who may be in the running for a call up?

Delap – the successor to Kane?

Harry Kane scored twice for Bayern Munich this week as they took a commanding first-leg lead over Bayer Leverkusen and the captain is expected to keep his place at the apex of the attack for some time yet.

But one man making a name for himself this season and well worth a look in the upcoming games is Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap.

Liam Delap for England? 🤔#MOTD2 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/LW5xfkAhVe

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 5, 2025

A few eyebrows were raised when Ipswich chose to part with close to £20m for Delap last summer but he has already proven his worth. Delap has scored 10 goals in the Premier League while leading the line on his own and is powerful and direct.

Ollie Watkins has had another good campaign for Villa but Delap could definitely offer England something else.

Nwaneri – filling in for Saka again?

Bukayo Saka has been a key man for England in recent years but is one of a lenthy list of injury absentees for the new manager.

Ethan Nwaneri is only 17 but has not looked out of place at all since stepping into the Gunners’ first XI, scoring four times since the start of January including two in the Champions League.

Lewis-Skelly 🤝 Nwaneri #UCL pic.twitter.com/5JrUcwKptZ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 6, 2025

It seems certain that Tuchel will want to check out Nwaneri and his fellow teen team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly – who has already been tipped for an England future by Nigel Winterburn.

Others on the outside looking in

Tottenham have had another Tottenham season but Archie Gray and Djed Spence have performed well in recent weeks. Gray has played in midfield and anywhere across the defence while Spence can operate on either flank.

Tuchel liked to play a back three while at Chelsea so wing-backs could be a useful option in his squad.

Gittens footwork 😵‍💫#UCL pic.twitter.com/K4D8mjI5be

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 23, 2024

With Luke Shaw, Harry maguire, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Dom Solanke and John Stones all set to miss out there will definitely be places up for grabs.

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford may be worth a look while further forwards, Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens has impressed at one of Tuchel’s old clubs, scoring 11 times from the wing.

He hasn’t scored since mid January but, much like Nwaneri, could be worth a look.

The Tuchel era will begin on 21 March at Wembley.