Englandvs.Albania

The German will oversee his maiden match in charge of the Three Lions this evening and has been working with a group of 26 players at St George's Park in the lead-up to his baptism.

Tuchel confirmed in yesterday's pre-game press conference that he had a fully-fit squad at his disposal for the opening game, having replaced the injured Cole Palmer with Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, according to a report from BBC Sport, the Nottingham Forest playmaker is one of three players to have missed out on selection for the matchday squad, as Tuchel is only permitted to call up 23 for the game.

Gibbs-White was omitted from Tuchel's original squad despite coming up with five goals and seven assists in 25 top-flight games for surprise package Forest, spearheading their shock Champions League charge as they lie third in the Premier League table.

Jarell Quansah, Aaron Ramsdale cut from England team for Albania match

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was facing incredibly stiff competition for the number 10 slot in Tuchel's system, though, as Jude Bellingham, Curtis Jones, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden can all act as the creative focal point.

Gibbs-White made two UEFA Nations League appearances under Lee Carsley last year, but the 25-year-old will be kept waiting a little while longer for his third senior England cap.

In addition to Gibbs-White, the report adds that Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah have also failed to make Friday's 23-man matchday squad.

Ramsdale was peculiarly one of four goalkeepers called up by Tuchel, who is therefore set to select Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford as his three-strong troupe for his opening game.

Ramsdale has conceded 50 goals and kept just two clean sheets in the 2024-25 Premier League for bottom-placed Southampton, and he has not made an appearance for his country since June 2024.

Meanwhile, Quansah was one of four uncapped players called up to the squad - benefitting from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire's injuries - but the 22-year-old was still far down the defenders' pecking order.

Who is expected to start for England against Albania?

There was a time not that long ago when Ramsdale was excelling in goal for Arsenal, leading to debate over whether he could usurp Pickford and become England's new number one, but the Everton man remains the undisputed first choice.

Pickford will certainly be protected by Marc Guehi, but the other three defensive spots are all up for grabs, although Kyle Walker, Levi Colwill and the uncapped Myles Lewis-Skelly can consider themselves genuine contenders to start.

The report adds that Declan Rice and Bellingham are expected to link arms in midfield, meaning no start for Jordan Henderson, while Rogers is seemingly winning the battle to start as the number 10.

However, Rogers's Aston Villa teammate Marcus Rashford may have to contend with a place on the bench, as Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon are apparently 'pushing' to support skipper Harry Kane up front.

Written by

Ben Knapton