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Topics: Thomas Tuchel, England
Josh Lawless
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly keeping tabs on two stars in the Championship as he prepares to name his first England squad.
Tuchel has penned an 18-month contract as Gareth Southgate's successor and officially started his reign on January 1.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has been closely watching many players at grounds in recent weeks, with the Daily Mail reporting that he has been in contact with plenty of the current crop.
Chelsea star Noni Madueke has spoken about conversations he's had with Tuchel about his form but a fresh report claims that Tuchel is prepared to call up players from the second tier.
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Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry have been paying close attention to Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Real Madrid and England star Jude, and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The pair have been instrumental of two of the top sides in the Championship this season, with Burnley and Sunderland separated by one point in third and fourth place respectively.
Bellingham has been in fine form for Sunderland, so much so that top sides in Europe have been linked with a move.
The 19-year-old only made his England Under 21's debut in November but much like his older sibling, he could well be fast-tracked into the senior squad - with the report noting that he is “on the radar”.
Trafford, who was the starting goalkeeper for Lee Carsley's England Under 21 side which won the Euros in 2023, has been in and around the senior group and received his first call-up in March 2024.
He was in the provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 before being dropped when the 26-man squad and is yet to make an appearance for the Three Lions.
Burnley and Sunderland recently played out a 0-0 draw and Barry, Tuchel's trusty right-hand man, was in attendance to see both Bellingham and Trafford in action.
Tuchel's first games in charge of England will be at the end of March when they kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with home games against Albania and Latvia at Wembley.