Thomas Tuchel has got bizarre Jordan Henderson call wrong – England have already moved on

Thomas Tuchel has raised plenty of eyebrows after including some unexpected names in his first England squad, namely two familiar faces who have been out in cold

No-one saw Jordan Henderson coming. In fact, Jordan Henderson probably did not see it coming.

What an utter bizarre call from Thomas Tuchel in his first squad.

The new England boss has got it absolutely spot on with Marcus Rashford which is a really shrewd move and rewards his form. But Henderson? You have got to be joking. I really like Henderson. What a servant he has been for England.

Henderson is now 34, virtually gave up on his career when he went to the Saudi Pro League and tried to revive it by going to Ajax. But he did not even make the Euros squad and his last cap came in November 2023.

His inclusion just highlights that Tuchel has gone for experience over youth which is in direct contrast to Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley. Maybe we should say give the new guy a chance. It is his way. But there is something exciting about youth and rather dull about experience.

Tuchel has confirmed that everyone within his squad is a contender for the World Cup, but if Henderson does go to the United States he will be 36 – yes, 36 – by the time of the tournament. He has not even been a guaranteed started for Ajax!

And if you are naming players for World Cup qualifiers with a tournament in 18 months’ time then you must be thinking about the big picture.

Henderson has been great for England. A top leader. They probably missed his presence in a difficult dressing room at the Euros last summer. But this is the World Cup. It cannot be about cheerleaders. How can he get in ahead of the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White? Or Elliot Anderson? Callum Hudson-Odoi? Not to have a single Nottingham Forest player is even more baffling.

What about Conor Gallagher playing in a high level Champions League tie with Real Madrid. No place for him either.

Just look at the age of the squad. Dan Burn is a nice story. But he is 32 and is hardly the future. Maybe Tuchel does not need to think about that. He is in to win the World Cup. It’s World Cup or bust.

Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford are all over 30 and by naming Henderson it feels like Dad’s Army.

I like the Rashford call because it gets him onside. This will say to Rashford: others doubt you, but you are for me. It’s smart. Rashford is 27, looked as if he had fallen out of love with the game at Manchester United. But he has been reignited at Aston Villa. And it’s a great move.

He has big game experience but needs focus and England can benefit from that. Rashford has such talent. It is worth embracing.

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