Thomas Tuchel’s England are quietly beginning to find their rhythm.
England have won all five of their World Cup qualifiers without conceding, and Tuchel says he is convinced the side are moving in the right direction.
But with the World Cup in the USA less than a year away, this October camp is one of the last chances for players to make their case before Tuchel finalises his 23-man squad.
Some big names are absent.
Jude Bellingham is still recovering from shoulder surgery, while Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have been overlooked despite strong starts to the season.
It’s a bold move from a manager determined to build a team around collective quality rather than reputation.
Against Wales and Latvia, Tuchel’s seventh and eighth games in charge, new faces have a real opportunity to prove they deserve a seat on the plane to North America next summer.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Left-back has long been England’s problem position, but 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly is emerging as a contender to make it his own.
Comfortable both in defence and midfield, the Arsenal youngster offers versatility and has already earned Tuchel’s trust, featuring in three of England’s five qualifiers so far.
His omission from the win against Serbia was tactical, but with Riccardo Calafiori now ahead of him in Arsenal’s pecking order, this camp is crucial to prove he can still make an impact.
Limited to just 83 Premier League minutes this season, Lewis-Skelly must remind Tuchel what he can offer.
With positional rival Lewis Hall sidelined through injury, the door is wide open for him to seize his chance.
Elliot Anderson
Few players have impressed under Tuchel quite like Elliot Anderson. Twice named man of the match – against Serbia and Andorra – the Nottingham Forest midfielder has shown the creativity and bite that England’s midfield sometimes lacks.
His knack for line-breaking passes and tireless pressing make him a natural fit for Tuchel’s high-intensity system.
Having left Newcastle last summer in search of regular football, Anderson now finds himself competing with the likes of Adam Wharton for one of the final midfield spots.
However, with Forest still searching for their first win under new boss Ange Postecoglou, a steady England showing could prove vital.
Tuchel’s remit is short-term success, and Anderson knows this window might not open again.
Dan Burn
At 33, Dan Burn’s late rise feels like poetic justice.
A cornerstone of Newcastle’s resurgence, he has started every league game this season and even powered home a header in their Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool last term.
Tuchel values chemistry, often pairing club teammates to build cohesion, and Burn’s connection with Anthony Gordon could give him an edge.
His aerial dominance and set-piece threat also fit perfectly with Tuchel’s pragmatic approach.
With John Stones struggling for fitness, Burn looks the most likely understudy to Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi. Experience, reliability, and club form make him an understated but serious contender.
Djed Spence
Djed Spence’s journey to England’s senior side has been one of resilience.
Once written off by Antonio Conte, he has rebuilt his reputation at Tottenham through a series of assured performances.
With Reece James forced to withdraw, Spence is England’s only recognised right-back in the training camp.
His debut against Serbia made history as he became the first Muslim man to represent the senior side.
His pace and positional discipline have impressed Tuchel, while his newfound consistency – 721 minutes across nine matches this season – shows he is finally fulfilling his potential.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Livramento sidelined, Spence’s timing couldn’t be better.
Nico O’Reilly
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly might be England’s most intriguing call-up. Once an attacking midfielder, Pep Guardiola converted him into a left-back.
At just 20, he has logged 658 minutes this season and ranks among the league’s best for tackles and interceptions per 90.
His size, physicality, and adaptability have caught Tuchel’s eye, particularly given the manager’s focus on Premier League-hardened athleticism.
Bring called up in place of Reece James suggests Tuchel sees O’Reilly as a utility option – a key asset in tournament football.
If he continues to combine defensive discipline with creative flair, he could turn a surprise call-up into a permanent fixture.
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