Thomas Tuchel names first England squad of the season with Djed Spence and Elliot Anderson earning a first call-ups

Thomas Tuchel has named his first England squad of the season, with plenty of discussion points coming from the team as usual.

The Three Lions will play two World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia next week during the season’s first international break.

England are short favourites to win both of their qualifiers with UK betting sites.

Elliot Anderson has earned a first call-up to the team after impressing for Nottingham Forest and the under-21’s. Tottenham’s Djed Spence was also called up to the senior team for the first time.

Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson were arguably the most surprising inclusions in Tuchel’s squad for the qualifiers.

Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all shock omissions from the squad, although three of the four stars are carrying injuries.

Your 24 #ThreeLions players for September camp! 📋

— England (@England) August 29, 2025

New inclusions in England squad

Two England players have earned a call-up to the senior squad for the first time in their careers and it is safe to say both deserve the inclusion.

Elliot Anderson has been a sensation for Nottingham Forest over the past season.

The 22-year-old quickly established himself a regular fixture in the high-flying Forest team last year after signing from Newcastle at the beginning of the season.

Anderson has plenty of experience on the international stage – albeit at youth level.

The former Magpie featured in every game for the under-21’s this summer as they won the European Championship.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Elliot Anderson is @England‘s latest senior recruit! 👏#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/cNxkMDdwNX

— UEFA Men’s Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) August 29, 2025

Another new inclusion from the September squad is Tottenham’s Djed Spence.

The 25-year-old has proved that he can play on both the right and the left side of defence over the past year as Spurs struggled with injuries.

Spence has started both games for Tottenham this year as Thomas Frank’s side remain unbeaten after beating Manchester City and Burnley. With Spence at the back, Spurs are yet to concede.

Who are the biggest omissions?

Spence’s inclusion in the squad coincides with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the team.

With no injury for Alexander-Arnold, the choice to drop him appears to be purely a tactical decision from Tuchel.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, according to BBC Sport sources. ❌

The right-back left Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer and was named in Tuchel’s previous squad. pic.twitter.com/Mu59tbVKXz

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 29, 2025

Trent wasn’t the only big name to be left out of the squad, with Phil Foden another who hasn’t been recalled after losing his spot in the Manchester City team.

Kyle Walker, Conor Gallagher and Ivan Toney were another three who will be surprised to have not earned a call-up.

There are also some other huge names missing for Andorra and Serbia next month due to injuries.

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Levi Colwill have all been dropped after picking up respective injuries at the start of the domestic campaign.