Thomas Tuchel has come under fire after including Chelsea ace Reece James in his first England squad (Image: GETTY)
has come under heat after . The German made a number of surprising selections as he prepares to take charge of his first Three Lions match in a World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday night.
Tuchel was appointed England manager in October after Lee Carsley held the fort following Gareth Southgate’s departure. The former boss was handed an 18-month contract and took the reins at the start of January, with his primary focus centred around winning the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel named the likes of Reece James, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford in his first squad, while overlooking in-form talents such as Conor Gallagher, Jarrad Branthwaite and Morgan Gibbs-White.
And pundits argued over whether Tuchel got it right as Michael Dawson exclaimed: “He’s not gone on form. He’s gone on reputation, if you can say that.”
Dawson and fellow pundit then flew into a heated exchange after being asked why right-back James was in the squad after missing a large part of the season through injury.
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Paul Merson (left) and Michael Dawson (right) argued about Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad (Image: SKY SPORTS)
“Because he was with him at , it has to be,” Dawson hissed. “It has to be Merse, he’s played 10 games.”
After Merson insisted James is “the best” right-back, Dawson hit back: “Yeah when he’s fit. Look at the minutes he’s played, he hasn’t played enough minutes.”
The former attacker maintained his position, however, as he responded: “Every time he’s fit you pick your best. He’s the best.”
Dawson continued: “Yeah but is he going to be there in 18 months? He’s played 10 games this season, 10 games last season.”
But Merson shut down the ex- defender as he asked: “Do any of us know where we’re going to be in 18 months’ time? Do you know what I mean?”
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Dawson stuck to his point as he vowed: “His appearances have not been enough to get in that England squad in my opinion. I’m not having it.”
He added: “I’m not having it at the moment that he’s in that squad. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] is going to be in it when he’s fit. Kyle Walker’s come back, Djed Spence has to be.”
But Merson made his voice heard as he added: “Thomas Tuchel won’t worry about being fit. All he will worry about when push comes to shove when he gets to the Word Cup [with] people like Reece James, if he gets him on the pitch and he’s fit he plays. He’s the best in his position in my opinion.”