Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker and football pundit, has spoken out about one Premier League player he believes was unfairly overlooked in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The squad, which was revealed on Friday, featured a mix of new names, familiar faces, and a few notable absences.
Shearer’s comments have added fuel to the conversation surrounding player selections.
Gibbs-White’s Exclusion Stirs Debate
The standout absentee, according to Shearer, is Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been enjoying a remarkable season with Nottingham Forest.
Despite his impressive performances, including five goals and seven assists in the Premier League, the 24-year-old was left out of Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Nottingham Forest currently sits third in the Premier League, with hopes of securing a Champions League spot, which makes Gibbs-White’s omission even more perplexing.
Shearer was quick to defend the midfielder, calling his exclusion “very unlucky.”
He pointed out that, given the strong performances from Gibbs-White this season, it’s hard to understand why he wasn’t included, especially when some of the players selected hadn’t shown as much in recent months.
Shearer confidently expressed that if Gibbs-White continues his current form, a future call-up for England is certainly on the cards.
Fresh Faces and Notable Returns in Tuchel’s Squad
While Gibbs-White may have missed out, Tuchel’s squad did include some fresh talent.
Myles Lewis-Skelly received his first call-up to the national team, while Dan Burn, the 32-year-old Newcastle defender, also earned a spot for the first time. On the other hand, some well-known names made their return after lengthy absences.
Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford were both included after more than a year away from the national team, signaling their importance in Tuchel’s plans moving forward.
Other key players in the squad include Kyle Walker, who retains his place in defense despite struggling for form this season, and Reece James, who is hoping to make his first appearance for England since March 2023.
The defensive lineup also features Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and others, with Burn making his long-awaited debut.
Midfield and Attack Selections
In midfield, Tuchel has called up established talents like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Curtis Jones, along with Cole Palmer, who remains in the squad despite facing some scrutiny for his recent performances.
One of the fresh names in the midfield is Morgan Rogers, who made his England debut off the bench last November.
Upfront, Harry Kane, who has worked with Tuchel during their time together at Bayern Munich, will lead the attack.
Alongside him, the forward line includes Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, and Dominic Solanke, giving Tuchel plenty of attacking options to choose from in the qualifiers.
Injury Concerns and Absentees
While Tuchel’s squad is impressive, there are a number of notable absences due to injuries.
Bukayo Saka, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Noni Madueke are among the key players missing from the squad.
There are also fitness concerns over other players like Kobbie Mainoo and Lewis Hall, who were unavailable for selection.
Ben White, the Arsenal defender who has been sidelined for three months after knee surgery, was reportedly in discussions with Tuchel, but his lack of game time since November meant he wasn’t included in the squad.
It remains unclear whether the conversation led to any definitive conclusions about White’s international future.
Final Thoughts on the Squad Selection
Tuchel’s squad has sparked discussion, particularly about the exclusion of certain players and the inclusion of others.
While some may feel that certain selections were questionable, Tuchel seems to have a clear vision for the upcoming qualifiers.
The squad includes a healthy mix of experienced players, young talent, and a few surprise call-ups, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting World Cup qualification campaign.