WELCOME TO KTNBIO

Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, and the nation’s football fans would be happy with Thomas Tuchel’s shocking decision.

New England boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his England squad to prosecute the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the list has brought some delight to Nigerian football fans.

Tuchel took over from Southgate after the latter stepped down last summer after leading England to the final of Euro 2024.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports 

51-year-old Tuchel had spells at Chelsea, where he won the 2021 UEFA Champions League. Before then he was at PSG, where he won the league title twice but failed to deliver a major European trophy, losing the 2021 UCl final to Bayern Munich.

Now leading a national team for the first time in his career, Tuchel is tasked with taking England a notch further than Southgate did. He will have to win a major trophy to convince naysayers who aren’t particularly pleased with the German’s appointment to lead the Three Lions.

Thomas Tuchel’s England Squad

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has returned to the England setup after a two-year absence. On-loan Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has also been offered another chance with the national team.

There is also a first senior call-up for Newcastle United defender Dann Burn and Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly, while former Brentford striker Ivan Toney misses out after moving to Saudi Arabia.

However, Nigeria-eligible Tosin Adarabioyo and Ethan Nwaneri have been left out of the squad, leaving the door open for a possible nationality switch.

Ethan Nwaneri is eligible to play for Nigeria, while Tosin Adarabioyo is yet to make up his mind, too, but this recent snub by Thomas Tuchel could help fast-track that.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers

Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley)

Defenders

Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)

Midfielders

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).