Thomas Tuchel says that Jordan Henderson “embodies everything we are trying to build” after appointing the Ajax midfielder in his first team in England this morning.
Henderson has not played for the three Lions since November 2023, when he appeared against Malta in Wembley and became a polarizing figure after leaving Liverpool for the Saudi side al-etttifaq earlier that year.
He failed to settle in the Middle East, joining Ajax in January 2024, and made 38 appearances this season for the Amsterdamers, which clearly rest eight points at the top of the Eredivisie.
Tuchel selected the 34-year-old man before Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White And explained his reasoning by highlighting the character of Henderson.
It’s time to reveal the first of Thomas Tuchel #Threelions team! 👀🏴
– England (@england) March 14, 2025
He said, “Jordan is a series winner. He is a captain of Ajax, he is available, he has played a lot of matches, he played in Europe. What he brings to each team is leadership, character, energy, he makes sure that everyone lives according to standards. He embodies everything we try to build. We try to constitute a team that our fans will be proud. Jordan embodies everything we want from this team. »»
Henderson and burn inclusions not in the short term – Tuchel
The inclusion of Henderson and his compatriot Thirty-Yeaning Dan Burn of Newcastle suggests that Tuchel, who has an agreement to take England to the World Cup next summer, is in the short term, but the German insisted for a balanced team to improve the chances of success.
“I really believe that Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson are likely to be with us in the World Cup,” added Tuchel. “Football in general but perhaps even more international football concerns team spirit. It is a question of constituting a team that likes to play with each other, which transports the mind to fans, the nation and the country. It’s about building a brotherhood. We cannot only do this with young players or senior players, it must be a good balance.
“I was surprised that Dan was never called. He is such a big guy but he is obviously easy to forget it. It almost happened to me. I can tell you from these two phone calls from Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn, you instantly know that you have chosen the right guys. “”
Tuchel does not want Rashford to fall back into “old routines”
Marcus Rashford was recalled after taking an impressive life at Aston Villa after his January change from Manchester United.
Rashford cut a figure disappointed with Old Trafford but seems to have found his mojo under Unai Emery.
Tuchel said: “With Marcus, he is a familiar face but a different situation. I felt that he had had a huge impact at Aston Villa since he went there, he especially had a huge impact on the bench. The impact was impressive.
“The physical impact was impressive and above all, its work rate, its defensive capacity and its withdrawal were impressive. I had the strong feeling that we should name it, bring it and push it to stay at this level so as not to fall back on old routines. This camp must push him to stay at this level. »»
Delighted to see you, Thomas! 👋 pic.twitter.com/pdremomyzh
– England (@england) March 14, 2025
Kane to stay skipper
Tuchel confirmed that Harry Kane would remain captain and that the defender of Arsenal, Ben White, is again available for the selection, although this time failed to return from injury.
White rejected the chance to play for England under Gareth Southgate but is now back in the lap.
Tuchel said, “I just think it’s a little too early given the gravity of the injury he had. I am delighted that he is back, he is back now in training. We were monitoring the process and enormous compliments in the medical and performance of FA.
“And thank you to everyone in Arsenal to let us watch carefully so that we are on it, speaking to Ben that we are delighted that it is back on the bench. He had a Champions League match now in the second stage and I think that now it’s just the question of getting more minutes, more pace, then he is likely to be back. He wants to be back, he is happy to be back. »»
England to go directly
The style of play of England has often been criticized under Southgate to be defensive and Dour and Tuchel says that his team will try to copy the best pieces of the main parts of the Premier League.
He said: “The Premier League is a very physical and demanding league. I think we should be courageous enough to play like a team from England. We must not try to copy other nations or other styles – it simply reflects the values of the country with the strongest league in the world.
“We will try to implement a direct and attacking style and we will try to increase the rhythm and the intensity of our game. We will try to do it in an intensive course on Monday and release the potential on Friday. »»
