Henderson Discloses Tuchel’s Messages to Palace Players Before England Squad Announcement

England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, is gearing up to announce his inaugural squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, and he has already reached out to Dean Henderson, the star goalkeeper from Crystal Palace.

In the lead-up to Saturday’s narrow 1-0 victory against Ipswich Town, Henderson disclosed that he, along with three of his Crystal Palace teammates, has been in contact with the England boss, who is faced with some challenging decisions as he assembles a Three Lions squad capable of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel is allegedly compiling an extensive 55-man shortlist of players he’s monitoring while travelling across the country to observe games ahead of his squad announcement on Friday.

The goalkeeping slot is particularly intriguing, with Henderson noting in an interview with Standard Sport last month that he and Everton’s Jordan Pickford are in a close contest for the position.

The 27-year-old shared his thoughts on his prospects with the national team, revealing that teammates Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Adam Wharton have all had interactions with the German head coach.

“I’ve chatted with Tuchel. He sent me a message before the match, which is nice to know that he’s keeping an eye on me. All I can control is my responsibilities on the pitch, fulfilling the role that the manager (Oliver Glasner) expects of me, and shining during crucial moments, which I believe I’ve been doing.”

“I’m thoroughly enjoying it; this is the best football I’ve played in recent years, as I’ve had plenty of game time. I’m thrilled. I feel like I’m on autopilot now, so I just need to keep this momentum going.”

“He mentioned he would be at the game to watch from the stands and wished me all the best,” Henderson remarked.

“I believe he reached out to Marc, Adam, and Ebs as well, so it’s reassuring to know he’s observing us.”

Henderson also praised Wharton, who has made a commendable return from injury and has been a significant influence on Glasner’s squad.

“He possesses immense talent and handles everything with ease. He’s been outstanding—a top player with limitless potential.”