All eyes will be on the first starting XI Thomas Tuchel names as England boss as they prepare to face Albania this evening.
The German manager is taking charge of his England game in the capital this evening after replacing Gareth Southgate as permanent boss with aims of delivering the World Cup for the Three Lions in 2026.
Tuchel already named a few surprise players in his 26-man squad for the qualifing double-header and Albania and Latvia, with some experienced heads returning to the fold and Dan Burn handed his first call-up at the age of 32.
Reports suggest the former Chelsea boss is set to name a back four for the Wembley clash tonight, with punters looking to guess what his first XI could look like.
With plenty of questions in a number of positions, we have had a stab at naming ours from the 23 players named in the matchday squad.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Experience looks set to be the name of the game for Tuchel’s England and in Jordan Pickford they have a goalkeeper who has excelled in four major tournaments.
The 73-cap international should see off competition from Dean Henderson and James Trafford to keep hold of the No1 shirt.
Right-back: Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker’s days as an England international looked numbered but the experienced right-back is another of the old guard who look set to remain part of Tuchel’s plans for the time being at least.
The Manchester City right-back currently on loan at AC Milan has played slightly more games than Reece James of late so should get the nod, though it remains to be seen if both will be usurped by Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold when he returns from injury.
Centre-back: Ezri Konsa
There is perhaps no obvious choice at centre-back in the current squad with both John Stones and Harry Maguire unavailable so Tuchel could turn to Ezri Konsa against Albania.
The England manager has placed great importance on players featuring in the Champions League and Konsa has done that all season for Aston Villa, a key differentiator from his defensive rivals in the squad.
Centre-back: Marc Guehi
Konsa looks set to be partnered by Marc Guehi, who was a regular for England at Euro 2024 and is enjoying another impressive season for Crystal Palace.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill will be hot on the heels of both Konsa and Guehi to force himself into Tuchel’s thinking.
Left-back: Myles Lewis-Skelly
For all the talk of experience within Tuchel’s squad, there is every chance 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly could make his senior debut at left-back.
The teenager has excelled for Arsenal this season and looks the best option over Dan Burn and versatile full-bacl Tino Livramento.
⏪ Back in November 2021…
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— England (@England) March 21, 2025
Central midfield: Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson’s selection was perhaps the most controversial of Tuchel’s picks and his potential selection in the starting XI would certainly anger some more.
But given the lack of depth in defensive midfield, it would be no surprise to see the Ajax midfielder line up from the start.
Central midfield: Declan Rice
Alongside Henderson is a nailed on starter in Declan Rice, who rarely misses a game in the heart of England’s engine room.
Central midfield: Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is another who has cemented himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet having risen to become one of world football’s hottest properties for Real Madrid.
It will be interesting to see how Tuchel utilises Bellingham, with Southgate using him further forward. However, we are expecting him to drop slightly deeper as one of the No8s next to Rice.
Right wing: Phil Foden
It has not been the best of seasons at club level for Phil Foden but he looks the most likely option to start on the right.
The six-time Premier League winner has more experience than Jarrod Bowen, with Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon all more suited to the left.
Striker: Harry Kane
Harry Kane will remain captain and the focal point up front for England, despite some beginning to question his role within the national team.
The Bayern Munich striker is his country’s all-time leading scorer but Tuchel may have a job in rejuvenating Kane’s England career after a slightly sluggish Euro 2024 campaign.
Left wing: Marcus Rashford
Another surprise call was the return of Marcus Rashford and again, it would be no surprise to see the forward start tonight.
The Manchester United man has looked sharp since joining Aston Villa on loan and Tuchel has already spoken of his aims to get the 27-year-old back to his best form. A start this evening would certainly be another confidence boost.
England predicted XI vs Albania (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Rashford
England full squad to face Albania
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), 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), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), 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)
