What England's starting XI could look like in Thomas Tuchel's first two games

Thomas Tuchel during a press conference at Wembley Stadium, London, England, on 14 March 2025.
Thomas Tuchel during a press conference at Wembley Stadium, London, England, on 14 March 2025.ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / IMAGO
It's been a long time coming but the England men's senior squad will soon have played their first two international matches under Thomas Tuchel.

The 51-year-old German was announced as Gareth Southgate's successor way back on October 16th, with his reign officially starting on January 1st, 2025.

Since then, it's been two and a half long months of attending matches all over the country to decide which players would form part of his first squad to play Albania and Latvia in the opening two World Cup qualifiers.

Excitement is likely to be building as supporters - who have already sold out Wembley Stadium for the visit of Albania - gather to see what the Tuchel era is going to look like.

Though Southgate was unable to secure any trophies of note during his tenure in charge of the Three Lions, he did come mightily close.

His legacy will be seen in much more than the results and level of performance he managed to draw out of his players, however.

The former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough man changed the culture and values system about the place and what it means to represent England. The feeling and belief around the group appeared completely different with him at the helm, and that's something Tuchel must tap into from the get-go if he wants the players quickly dancing to his tune.

With the greatest of respect to both Albania and Latvia neither team should cause England problems, but that doesn't mean Tuchel will allow his players to relax either. He does, after all, have a huge point to prove.

It's worth pondering, too, on how he will set his team up for the two games and which personnel he'll entrust with getting England off to the perfect start in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

He certainly doesn't appear to want to reinvent the wheel either, saying in a recent interview that the style of play "needs to reflect the Premier League. We should not try to copy other nations or other styles.

“We will try to implement a direct, attacking style and we will try to increase the rhythm and intensity of our game.

"We will try to do this in a crash course on Monday and unleash the potential on Friday.”

If there's one thing that marks Tuchel out amongst his contemporaries, it is the ability to switch formations easily but still retain dominance of possession within a game. He likes his teams to be aggressive and to set the tempo rather than sitting back and allowing the opponent to dictate and play their own game.

Depending how Albania line up, the German could quite easily go for any one out of a 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-3 formation.

By having a certain amount of fluidity with the general shape of the team it allows players to dovetail or alternate as needed, though Tuchel has to get the mix right mix in order to be able to make the same a success.

All four goalkeepers in the squad - Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford - may lay claim to the number one shirt, but it would be a surprise if the Everton man didn't keep his place.

He has played the fullest part in the Toffees' resurgence under David Moyes, and whilst Trafford's unbelievable amount of clean sheets for Burnley this season makes him a credible candidate, it probably isn't the right time for Tuchel to be rolling the dice with regards to his custodian.

After his Carabao Cup final heroics and his general good moment of form more pertinently, it would be a surprise if Dan Burn isn't handed a first England cap less than a week after setting Newcastle on their way to their first major domestic trophy in 70 years. Tuchel doesn't do sentimental, however, Burn has done enough over the past few months to deserve a shot at international level.

John Stones isn't available for selection and Harry Maguire is only just coming back from injury, so that opens up the possibility of Burn being partnered by the excellent Marc Guehi.

The Palace man has risen to the occasion with the national team, as evidenced by the maturity in his performances at the European Championship.

At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly could be a second debutant given the way in which he's burst onto the scene with Arsenal and the fact that he's the only natural for the position in the squad. The below graphic shows how he didn't waste a single pass during a recent trip to Old Trafford, and that's been a feature of his play under Mikel Arteta.

Tuchel's words during a Football Association interview on "accelerating Myles' career again" are also telling.

Myles Lewis Skelly pass map vs Manchester United
Myles Lewis Skelly pass map vs Manchester UnitedOpta by Stats Perform

Looking to the future rather than the past would rule Kyle Walker out of a starting spot, and there's a reasonable enough argument that Reece James' erratic form and injury concerns could see him on the bench at best.

A right-back berth for the marauding Tino Livramento, another Newcastle success story this season, would therefore complete a new-look back four, but one which possesses pace, power, natural ability and incredible will to win.

Utlising a 4-2-3-1 would allow Tuchel to play with a double pivot, and there'd be little point in bringing Jordan Henderson back into the international fold unless the head coach had the intention of playing him.

Whilst that would fly in the face of a more forward-thinking approach, the decision to reward the Ajax man's diligence by having him being the player to sit in front of the back four and protect it is understandable.

Declan Rice could then have ample licence to roam as he sees fit whilst also breaking forward and providing a supplementary attacking presence higher up the pitch, something he manages with aplomb for the Gunners week in and week out.

Another surprise could be the recall of in-form Marcus Rashford. Though the Man United loanee hasn't yet scored for Aston Villa he's certainly found his mojo again, and pulling on the England jersey again will clearly boost his confidence. 

Marcus Rashford heat map vs Chelsea
Marcus Rashford heat map vs ChelseaOpta by Stats Perform

Tuchel has noted that it's "the right time to push Marcus again," and on current form you'd have to put him ahead of both Anthony Gordon and Phil Foden on the left side of a three.

Rashford could come on as an impact sub as he has for Villa, and the brilliant Jarrod Bowen slotting in on the right. 

Where would West Ham be this season without the goals and all-round excellence of their talismanic captain? A player who is just as comfortable coming inside as he is to taken on his direct opponent for pace.

Jude Bellingham as the number 10 behind Harry Kane up front is an absolute no-brainer.

The Real Madrid man hasn't actually been at his best for long periods of the current LaLiga season, however, being able to direct England's forays from that central area will see him deliver his best work.

Being able to pop balls off left, right and centre and making those signature late runs in the box behind Kane in order to feast on any knockdowns will be manna from heaven for the 21-year-old.

It's already looking like a vintage club season for Harry Kane with a first-ever major trophy on the cards with Bayern Munich, and it was Tuchel of course who signed him for the Bavarians.

England's captain and record goalscorer will be the first name on Tuchel's team sheet, and how he would love to get the national team off to the best possible start in their quest for a first World Cup title in 60 years.

Jason Pettigrove
Jason PettigroveFlashscore