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England head coach Thomas Tuchel has left Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, and Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale out of his matchday squad for Friday's World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley. Gibbs-White was not initially included in Tuchel's original squad but was called up following Chelsea's Cole Palmer withdrawal. However, he will not feature in the upcoming match.
UEFA regulations allow only 23 players to be named in a matchday squad, forcing Tuchel to cut three players from the 26-man squad he selected for the fixtures against Albania and Latvia. As a result, Gibbs-White, Quansah, and Ramsdale are the ones to miss out in Tuchel's first game in charge.
Harry Kane will captain the team, with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice expected to start in midfield. Meanwhile, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, and Anthony Gordon are all pushing for attacking roles alongside Kane. Another key aspect to watch will be Tuchel's tactical approach, as training sessions throughout the week indicate that England could be preparing to play with a back four. Tuchel has traditionally favored a back three, particularly during his time at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League. However, the team has reportedly focused on a back-four formation in training, suggesting a possible shift in strategy for this game.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, one of England's standout players at Euro 2024, is expected to start on the bench. This decision, along with the omission of Gibbs-White, Quansah, and Ramsdale, may offer insights into Tuchel's early approach as England manager. Fans and analysts will be eager to see how these choices influence the team's performance in this crucial World Cup qualifier.
