England Squad Announcement In Full: Andorra And Serbia Qualifiers

Introduction

Thomas Tuchel has named his latest England squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, and the headline is clear. Two fresh faces have stepped into the senior setup for the first time, while a marquee name finds himself on the outside looking in. Tottenham full-back Djed Spence and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson have earned their maiden call-ups.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, newly of Real Madrid after his summer move from Liverpool, has been left out following his involvement in Tuchel’s previous squad. The decisions say a lot about where England are heading under their new head coach: a team driven by role clarity, tactical balance, and form over reputation.

This in-depth guide breaks down the selections, explains what Tuchel is trying to build, and looks ahead to how the Three Lions could line up in both fixtures. You will find the thinking behind the call-ups, the implications of the omissions, the evolving style of play, and what to watch for when England take the field.

The Big Picture: Tuchel’s England Is Taking Shape

Tuchel’s international project is still in the building phase, yet patterns are already visible. He wants full-backs who defend first and allow the wide forwards to take more risks. He wants midfielders who can work both sides of the ball and interchange positions without the structure falling apart. Above all, he wants competitive training sessions where young, hungry players can push established stars. Naming debutants like Spence and Anderson while omitting a player of Alexander-Arnold’s profile underlines that philosophy.

Who Made The Cut: Why Djed Spence And Elliot Anderson Are In

Djed Spence: A role-specific full-back for a role-specific job

Spence’s inclusion reflects the way Tuchel values specialist full-back play. Spence is quick over the first five yards and comfortable defending one-on-one in wide channels. In a Tuchel back four, the right-back must track runners, win races to the byline, and time underlapping or overlapping runs without leaving the center-backs isolated. Spence has sharpened his decision-making and recovery sprints, two qualities Tuchel prizes when England are forced to defend transitions.

There is also the build-up angle. Tuchel often asks one full-back to hold width and the other to tuck into midfield to create a passing triangle with the holding midfielder and the right-sided center-back. Spence’s improved timing in possession allows England to progress play without exposing themselves. He is not being asked to be the main playmaker from deep. That is exactly why he is here.

Elliot Anderson: Press resistance and penalty-box timing

Anderson’s call-up is about versatility and temperament. At Nottingham Forest, he has shown he can operate as a left-sided No 8, a right-sided link player, or even push higher as a narrow playmaker arriving late in the box. England need midfielders who break lines with and without the ball. Anderson carries on the dribble, can pass off either foot, and has the awareness to arrive in the lane between the opposition full-back and center-back. That timing is gold dust against deep blocks like Andorra’s and highly organized mid-blocks like Serbia’s.

Tuchel also values mentality. Anderson has produced in pressure environments, looks comfortable taking responsibility, and keeps his off-the-ball work tidy. In training, that means he can slot into multiple tactical drills without the staff having to reshape the entire session. In a tournament-minded setup, adaptability is not a luxury. It is a selection criterion.

The Talking Point: Why Trent Alexander-Arnold Misses Out

Leaving out a player of Alexander-Arnold’s profile is never a marginal call. It is a statement about balance. Tuchel has experimented with the idea of Trent as an inverted full-back or hybrid midfielder. The question has always been what happens on the turnover. England concede the few chances they allow from quick counters down the wings. In certain games, that trade-off is worth it because of the passing Trent provides. In others, particularly away qualifiers where rhythm can be scrappy, Tuchel prefers a more conservative full-back profile and a midfield that can recycle possession without leaving gaps in the channels.

Form and minutes matter as well. Settling into a new league, a new club, and a new training rhythm can interrupt any player’s flow. When the national team only has a short preparation window, managers tend to favor players whose club roles mirror their national roles. Tuchel’s decision does not close the door on Trent. It simply acknowledges the demands of these two matches and the structure he wants right now.

How England Will Likely Play

Defensive shape: Compact and aggressive inside the box

Out of possession, expect England to hold a medium block that becomes a compact 4-4-2 when the ball travels into the middle third. The near-side winger drops to help the full-back, while the far-side winger tucks in to keep the central channels crowded. The aim is to funnel play outside, contest crosses with numbers, and win the second ball. Center-backs will be asked to hold their position rather than follow strikers into midfield. That keeps the penalty area secure and prevents chaos on cutbacks.

Possession play: Wide platforms and third-man runs

With the ball, Tuchel leans on wide platforms to stretch the opposition back line. A right-back like Spence gives England honest width, which creates pockets for the right-sided eight to receive on the half turn. On the left, the full-back may invert earlier to create a 3-2 base with the holding midfielder and center-backs. The front line will look for third-man combinations, where the striker pins the center-backs and a midfielder like Anderson arrives late to finish. Against Andorra, that patience is vital. Against Serbia, it is about breaking the midfield line and hitting the weak-side winger early.

The Andorra Challenge: Beating The Block

England will see a deep defensive shell with five at the back and a narrow midfield. The mission is to avoid crossing for the sake of crossing and to keep moving the point of attack until Andorra’s back line begins to separate. Watch for these markers of a good England performance.

1. Quick tempo in the first two passes after a regain. England must force Andorra’s wing-backs to sprint back into position rather than jog into their shape.
2. Rotations on the right. If Spence holds width and the right-sided eight steps inside, the winger can drift into the half space to receive on the turn. Those triangles will create the cleanest cutback chances.
3. Patience without passivity. The ball should circulate, but not for show. Every sideways pass must shift defenders and open a seam for a vertical punch.

If the structure holds, a single goal will usually force Andorra to extend. That is when England can find a second by attacking the spaces behind the wing-backs.

The Serbia Test: Control The Middle, Win The Transitions

Serbia bring more power and more threat between the lines. They can punish sloppy rest defense, particularly if full-backs push on at the wrong moments. England’s shape without the ball will be crucial. The double pivot must be close enough to the center-backs to win second balls, but not so deep that England cannot break. When England attack, the near-side full-back has license to join, provided the opposite full-back and the holding midfielder lock the rest defense into a 2-1 or 3-2 structure.

That stability keeps counters manageable and gives England the platform to sustain pressure. Key details to watch include the first press after losing possession and the direction of England’s first pass on the regain. If the first ball forward goes into a runner’s path rather than back into traffic, Serbia’s back line can be turned and forced to defend facing their own goal. This is where a late-arriving midfielder like Anderson can shine.

Individuals To Watch

Djed Spence

His first involvement will say a lot. If he wins his first duel and keeps his passing crisp, the stadium will settle and England’s right side will become a reliable launch point. Look for his timing on underlaps when the winger holds width. If he breaks the penalty-area line, he can cut the ball back to the penalty spot for a first-time finish.

Elliot Anderson

Anderson’s value starts before the ball arrives. His constant scanning lets him receive on the half turn instead of with his back to goal. That tiny difference unlocks switches and disguised through balls. He will also be a factor on second-phase set pieces, where his anticipation around the D can produce rebounds or quick shots through traffic.

The Center-Back Pairing

Tuchel wants a duo that talks, moves as a unit, and refuses to be dragged into personal duels. Expect one stayer and one stepper. The stayer protects the box. The stepper attacks long balls early and clears the second ball zone for the midfield.

Set Pieces: Quietly A Decisive Edge

England’s deliveries have improved with a greater focus on blocking schemes and decoy runs. Against low blocks, set pieces are often the tiebreaker. Watch for stacked runs at the back post and near-post flick-ons that free a runner arriving at the far stick. The second-phase routine is just as important. If Anderson is on the pitch, his clean strike from the edge can punish partial clearances.

What The Omission Means For Alexander-Arnold

Trent’s absence should be read through the lens of role specificity rather than talent. Tuchel is dialing in the defensive structure first. The door remains open if England adopt a more aggressive inverted full-back plan in future camps or if injuries change the calculus. For now, the message is consistent. England will select the right profile for the right job, even if that means leaving out a superstar while he adapts to a new club environment.

Predicted Tactical Blueprint

1. England to start with a balanced back four where the right-back provides width and the left-back tucks in during build-up.
2. A midfield triangle that can flip depending on game state. When chasing a goal, the advanced eight pushes higher and the holding player spreads to cover both half spaces. When defending a lead, the triangle flattens into a compact line of three.
3. Front three rotations geared toward creating the cutback. The wide forward attacks the channel. The striker pins center-backs. The far-side winger attacks the back post.

These are not radical ideas. They are tournament-winning details. Tuchel’s selections are crafted to execute them reliably.

What Success Looks Like From This Camp

Success is not only measured in points, though results always matter. Success looks like cleaner spacing in possession, fewer emergency defensive actions, and a growing sense of calm when England manage long spells of the ball. It looks like young players earning trust and senior players embracing slightly different roles to serve the whole.

If Spence and Anderson settle quickly, England gain two more pieces who fit the system. If the back line keeps counters to a minimum, Tuchel’s blueprint becomes repeatable. If set pieces churn out chances, the pressure eases in tight games. These are the signals that a national team is maturing.

FAQs

Is this a permanent changing of the guard at right-back

No. International squads are snapshots. Tuchel is selecting for role fit and immediate needs. Alexander-Arnold remains a world-class option whose creative qualities can reshape certain game plans. This camp is about balance.

Where might Anderson play if he debuts

Likely as a right-sided or left-sided No 8 in a midfield three. He can also push higher as an advanced playmaker if England chase a goal late.

What will Spence be asked to prioritize

First his duels, then his positioning, then his delivery. If he nails those, the attacking contributions will follow naturally.

Conclusion

England’s September squad tells a coherent story. Tuchel is valuing clarity over compromise, bringing in Djed Spence and Elliot Anderson to sharpen the team’s edges while leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold to preserve balance for two very different qualifiers. The approach is pragmatic yet progressive. It rewards form, embraces specialists, and trusts adaptable young players to translate their club roles to the international stage.

If England control transitions, keep their spacing clean, and use their wide platforms to create quality chances, they will put themselves in a strong position against both Andorra and Serbia. The names on the list matter, but the framework matters more. This camp is another step toward an England team that knows exactly what it is trying to do and has the personnel to do it.