Three Overlooked Players Tuchel Should Evaluate for England’s Upcoming Fixtures

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifiers, highlighting several underrated players who deserve a chance to start this week.

With the qualifying matches set to take place at Wembley against Albania on Friday and Latvia on Monday, Tuchel faces some challenging decisions as he crafts his inaugural lineup.

Here are three undervalued players that merit consideration for starting positions, given their commendable form.

At 32 years of age, the towering 6ft 7in defender is arguably the most formidable presence in the league, competing with giants like Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

Following Newcastle United’s EFL Cup win over the Reds, where Burn netted the opening goal, he will enter the camp brimming with confidence after receiving his first call-up to the Three Lions.

If Tuchel chooses to field him, Burn would break the record for the oldest player to make his debut since former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies, who did so 15 years ago. This seems likely to occur in one of the upcoming fixtures.

Tuchel cheekily remarked last Friday about Burn’s impressive height, noting he is often overlooked—an experience that has defined much of Burn’s career. However, recent years have seen his story shift towards a remarkable resurgence as he approaches the twilight of his playing days.

On the other end of the spectrum, standing at 5ft 10in, the 18-year-old brings a different dynamic to the squad.

During a meeting at St. George’s Park, Lewis-Skelly captured the moment on video, exclaiming: “Nah, this is too much! Oh my goodness. This is a joke.”

Burn responded with a laugh: “Everyone gets it, mate.”

This versatile teenager made his 26th senior appearance in Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League triumph over Chelsea, marking a standout season under manager Mikel Arteta.

He has emerged as a crucial asset for the team, which is not only hunting for the Premier League title but also eyeing the Champions League—a goal that is well within reach.

Lewis-Skelly is arguably one of England’s most thrilling young prospects, and Tuchel should seriously consider starting him against an Albania side that has managed only one win in their last five outings.

Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw would have been in contention had they not sustained injuries, but with their absence, the Arsenal star must top the selection list.

Although Rashford has yet to score for Aston Villa since his loan move from Manchester United in January, his four assists and multiple goal-scoring opportunities created have caught the eye, proving his worth to the team.

Having last played for the Three Lions a year ago, Rashford has faced challenges in securing a spot under former manager Gareth Southgate. However, his recent performances for Villa have shown flashes of the world-class potential many once envisioned, as he has rejuvenated his game under manager Unai Emery.

He appears to be reborn at Villa, and Tuchel has clearly taken note of this resurgence in his squad selection—something many would have deemed improbable if Rashford’s name had been mentioned at the start of the season.

If Tuchel deploys Burn, Lewis-Skelly, and Rashford during this international break, fans could witness the early formation of a squad capable of achieving World Cup glory, signalling an exciting new chapter for the Three Lions.