England manager Thomas Tuchel has called up former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek after he lost Adam Wharton to an injury.
Wharton suffered an adductor injury in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday. After the game, Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed Wharton would have to withdraw from the England camp.
As Wharton’s replacement for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, Tuchel has turned to Loftus-Cheek, leaving plenty of fans scratching their heads.
England play against Andorra at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Tuchel’s side are overwhelming favourites at 1/33 with football betting sites to claim the win.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Gets England Call-Up After 6 Years
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has not played for England since November 2018. His was last called up in March 2019, but he chose to withdraw his name.
In the last six years, Loftus-Cheek has become an afterthought. Former manager Gareth Southgate, who recently said he does not miss managing England, was happy to keep him out of the squad. But Thomas Tuchel is open to giving him another shot.
The 29-year-old has put up decent numbers on the board at AC Milan, chipping in with 11 goals and three assists in 71 games across competitions.
For England, Loftus-Cheek has played 10 games, providing two assists.
Fans Call Thomas Tuchel Biased for Selecting Loftus-Cheek
Thomas Tuchel has seemingly rewarded Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his impressive performances for AC Milan. He may have also preferred him over others due to his familiarity with him.
Fans, however, are not happy with Tuchel’s selection. Many alleged that the German was organising a mini reunion for his former Chelsea players. Some claimed Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Real Madrids’s Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been better picks.
@ConfusedUnited wrote:
“Damn didn’t realize he is that old. 29. Amazing RLC can get into England squad but not Mainoo. Thank you so much Amorim”
@Adebay0r__ added:
“Lmaoo Tuchel is doing a reunion 😂😂. I won’t be surprised if Mount makes it if he keeps this form”
@ferrierhanslipN questioned Tuchel’s team selection, calling his picks “shockingly bad.”
@0xJaja_ chimed in, saying:
“calling ruben but not trent is just ridiculous”
“We can forget next years World Cup.. Tuchel’s squad selections have been shockingly bad @England”
🏴Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been called up to the England squad for the first time since… 2018! 🔙🤩
He replaces Adam Wharton, who is injured. 🤕
🗞️ @David_Ornstein pic.twitter.com/0PRKEq28qY
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 2, 2025
@CMUFC28 found this transfer “very odd”, suggesting there were other better options.
“Very odd, plenty players I’d take over him”
@islaash10 advised:
“Yeah he should call all ex Chelsea players”
@Elevarcrypto suggested it was a desperate move, as Loftus-Cheek was no longer international quality.
“England really scraping the bottom of the midfield barrel if RLC is the answer in 2025 man’s been a ghost since 2018 and suddenly he’s international quality again”
After the game against Andorra, the Three Lions will face Serbia in their second World Cup qualifier on September 9.
