Thomas Tuchel says that Jordan Henderson “incorporates everything we are trying to build” after calling Ajax’s first team in his first England team this morning.
Henderson has not played for the three lions since November 2023, when he appeared against Malta on Wembley and has become a polarizing figure after leaving Liverpool for the Saudi Arabic Al-Ettifaq earlier that year.
He failed to settle in the Middle East, joins Ajax in January 2024 and made 38 appearances this season for Amsterdm, who are sitting eight points clear at the top of Eredivisie.
Tuchel chose 34-year-old in front of Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White And he explained his reasoning by highlighting Henderson’s character.
It’s time to reveal the first Thomas Tuchel #Threelions group! 👀🏴
– England (@england) March 14 2025
He said: “Jordan is a serial winner. He is a captain of Ajax, he is available, he has played many matches, he has played in Europe. What brings to every team is leadership, character, energy, ensures that everyone lives with the standards. incorporates whatever we want from this group.
Henderson and Burn Enclusions are not short-term thought-tuchel
The inclusion of Henderson and colleague Thirtysomething Dan Burn’s Newcastle suggests that Tuchel, who has an agreement to take England in the World Cup next summer, thinks in the short term, but the German insisted that a balanced team enhances the chance of success.
“I really think Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every opportunity to be with us in the World Cup,” Tuchel added. “Football in general, but perhaps even more international football is for the team spirit. It is the building of a team that loves to play each other, which convey the spirit to the fans, the nation and the country. It is the building of a brother.
“I was surprised that Dan was never summoned. He’s so tall, but obviously it’s easy to overlook him. It almost happened to me. I can tell you of these two telephone calls from Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn, you know immediately that you chose the right kids.”
Tuchel does not want Rashford to return to ‘old routines’
Marcus Rashford was recalled after an impressive start to Aston Villa after the January transition from Manchester United.
Rashford cut off a frustrated figure in Old Trafford, but he seems to have recovered his mojo under UNAI Emery.
Tuchel said: “With Marcus, he is a familiar person, but a different situation. I felt he had a huge impact on Aston Villa since he left there, he made a huge impact on the bench mainly. The impact was impressive.
“The physical impact was impressive and most importantly, his work rate, his defensive capacity and monitoring were impressive. I had the strong feeling that we had to define him, bring him and push him to stay at this level so that he would not fall back to the old routines.
I’m glad to see you, Thomas! 👋 pic.twitter.com/pdremomyzh
– England (@england) March 14 2025
Kane to remain a ruler
Tuchel confirmed that Harry Kane will remain as a captain and that Arsenal Ben White’s defender is again available for choice, though this time he has just returned from an injury.
White rejected the opportunity to play for England under Gareth Southgate, but now he is back in the fold.
Tuchel said: “I think it’s a little too early given the seriousness of the injury he had. I am glad to be behind, he is now in training.
“And thanks to everyone in Arsenal to let us watch closely, so we are in it, talking to Ben that we are happy to return to the bench. He had a Champions League match now on the second leg and I think now is the only question to get more minutes, more pace, and then he has a chance.
England to go direct
England’s game style was often criticized in Southgate because he was defensive, and Dour and Tuchel says his team will try to copy the best pieces from the top sides of the Premier League.
He said: “The Premier League is a very natural and demanding championship. I think we have to be brave enough to play as a English team. We should not try to copy other nations or other styles – it simply reflects the country’s values with the strongest championship in the world.
“We will try to apply an immediate, aggressive style and try to increase the rhythm and intensity of our game. We will try to do this on a crash course on Monday and release the possibilities on Friday.”
