Thomas Tuchel picked his first England squad on ‘repute’ and never kind, claims Michael Dawson… as he insists one star can be ‘devastated’ after being unnoticed

Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has criticised England boss Thomas Tuchel – claiming one star should have been included in the latest England squad. 

The German announced the first squad of his tenure on Friday, with a shock recall for Jordan Henderson and another for Marcus Rashford ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.  

Henderson’s recall comes as a shock after many thought he had ended his England career when he left Liverpool for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023.

The 34-year-old , who has 81 caps, has not played for his country since November 2023 but moved to Ajax mid-way through last season. He was booed off by England fans just a month after his controversial move to Saudi Arabia. 

Dawson, who won four england caps in his playing career, has blasted Tuchel, claiming he has picked some players on ‘reputation’ and not form, with the former Tottenham captain also insisting Nottingham Forest‘s Morgan Gibbs-White deserved a call-up. 

Speaking on Sky Sports he said: ‘Baffled. Disbelief. Surprised. Players that you could probably put in a bracket like Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi. 

Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has criticised England boss Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel announced the first squad of his tenure on Friday ahead of facing Albania and Latvia

Dawson insists Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White deserved a call-up into the squad

‘I’m talking about players in form. Gibs-White was a tick before the squad came out. I didn’t  even think he was a contender, he was in it for me. 

‘He’s gone back to old players. He’s gone off reputation and you can put Rashford in that bracket, Reece James, Henderson. 

‘The message that it send to the players in form is “what do i have to do to get in the England squad?”

‘Gibbs-white must’ve been devastated thinking “what do i have to do to get in Tuchel’s first squad?'”‘

German coach Tuchel officially started work on January 1 and has spent the last couple of months watching numerous games across Europe whilst also holding direct conversations with several players before finalising his squad.

Tuchel has named four goalkeepers in his squad in what is a rare move: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, and James Trafford. 

Some may suggest this indicates that Tuchel is more open-minded about his goalkeeper selection, as typically international teams only take three.

Kyle Walker retains his place in the back line after his move on loan to AC Milan, despite struggling for form this season, while Reece James will hope to make his first England outing since March 2023. 

Jordan Henderson has been handed a shock call-up, having last played for England in 2023

Gibbs-White featured against Ireland and Finland last year under Lee Carsley

Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Burn, and Lewis-Skelly complete the defence. 

In midfield, Cole Palmer keeps his place despite recent scrutiny, while Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Curtis Jones, and Henderson join him. 

There is also a spot for Morgan Rogers, who made his first two appearances in England colours against Greece and Ireland off the bench in November.

Harry Kane is expected to lead the line, and worked with Tuchel at Bayern Munich last season to great effect.

Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Solanke, and Rashford complete the forward line.