Thomas Tuchel is preparing to make significant changes in his first England squad selection, with reports indicating that he has decided to hand Marcus Rashford a long-awaited recall to the national team. The 27-year-old forward, who has been in fine form since his loan move to Aston Villa, will return to the international fold after a year-long absence. However, his inclusion appears to come at the expense of Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who has struggled to find his best form this season.
Tuchel, who officially names his squad on Friday morning, will be making his first major decisions as England manager, and fans are eager to see how his selections will compare to those of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. According to reports, Rashford’s return is just one of several changes, with Newcastle United’s Dan Burn and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers also expected to receive their first senior call-ups following impressive domestic and European campaigns.

Rashford’s Road to Redemption

Rashford last featured for England in a friendly against Brazil in March 2024, but Southgate opted to leave him out of the Euro 2024 squad, citing inconsistent form and a lack of game time at club level. His struggles at Manchester United were well-documented, as he found himself sidelined under new manager Ruben Amorim and went nearly two months without competitive action between December and February.
However, his fortunes changed dramatically after securing a loan move to Aston Villa, where he has thrived under the management of Unai Emery. Rashford has been a key contributor to Villa’s push in both the Premier League and the Champions League, with four assists in nine appearances across all competitions. His revitalized performances have not only helped Villa establish themselves among England’s top teams but also reignited his international ambitions. Upon joining Villa, Rashford openly admitted that earning an England recall was among his primary goals, and his hard work has seemingly paid off with Tuchel’s decision.
Speaking about Rashford and fellow new recruit Marco Asensio last month, Emery praised their impact, stating:
“They have a lot of skills to add in our structure, helping us like they are doing. They are scoring goals and getting assists for their teammates, playing in our structure and feeling comfortable. They’re getting more confidence.”

Grealish Pays the Price for Poor Club Form

While Rashford’s resurgence has earned him a return to the England squad, Grealish appears to have fallen out of favor. The 29-year-old has endured a frustrating season at Manchester City, struggling to cement a regular starting spot under Pep Guardiola. Despite being included in Lee Carsley’s first Nations League squad and scoring in a win over the Republic of Ireland, Grealish withdrew from the November squad due to injury. His performances at club level since then have failed to convince Tuchel that he warrants a place in the team.
With Tuchel aiming to reshape England’s attack, it seems Grealish has not done enough to stake his claim. His omission will be a bitter blow for the former Aston Villa captain, who was once a key figure in Southgate’s squad but now finds himself on the outside looking in.

A Fresh Start Under Tuchel

Tuchel’s squad announcement marks the beginning of a new era for England, and his decisions signal a shift in approach. The inclusion of Rashford, Rogers, and Burn suggests he is willing to reward players based on form rather than reputation, a move that could bring fresh energy to the national team.
As England prepares for their upcoming fixtures, Rashford will be eager to prove that he still has plenty to offer on the international stage. Meanwhile, Grealish faces the challenge of rediscovering his best form at club level if he hopes to force his way back into contention.
Tuchel’s first squad selection is already making headlines, and with more changes potentially on the horizon, England fans will be watching closely to see how his vision for the team unfolds.