10 England players could still switch allegiance ahead of Thomas Tuchel's first squad announcement
Thomas Tuchel's first England squad will be announced on Friday but there are still a number of players who are eligible to switch international allegiance.
Tuchel officially started his reign as England boss on 1 January and he is preparing for his first training camp ahead of first games at Wembley against Albania and Latvia.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager is said to have drawn up a 55-man shortlist of players in his plans for the England national team but that will need to be whittled down to 26 for his inaugural squad.
Tuchel has some difficult decisions to make from the off and his selections will likely have a big impact on the futures of many stars who still have the ability to play for a different country at senior level.
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England have benefitted before from the likes of Declan Rice and Jack Grealish ultimately opting to play for England but which players could still pledge allegiance elsewhere? Here are ten to keep an eye on.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - Barbados
The 18-year-old has grown into a hugely important player for Arsenal this season and has earned comparisons to Ashley Cole, arguably England's greatest ever left-back.
He has played for England at youth levels, most recently the Under 19's in September, but is eligible to play for Caribbean nation Barbados.
Ethan Nwaneri - Nigeria
Similarly, Ethan Nwaneri is another Gunners wonderkid making waves and fans are eager to see whether he will be fast-tracked by Tuchel. A member of England's squad at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, Nwaneri has family roots in Nigeria. It has been reported that the most likely scenario would be that both Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri go into the Under 21's, though a senior call-up is not out of question.
Mason Greenwood - Jamaica
Tuchel personally contacted 55 players to potentially represent England but former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was not one. The Marseille star made 17 appearances for England at various youth levels and then had a solitary senior appearance as a substitute in a Nations League win over Iceland in 2020.
He has not been considered for selection following his arrest in January 2022 on suspicion of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Charges against Greenwood were discontinued by the CPS and he continued his football career away from United on loan at Getafe, before joining Ligue One side Marseille last summer.
According to the FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, Greenwood has officially switched allegiance to Jamaica and will represent Steve McClaren's side internationally.
Archie Gray - Scotland
Having impressed playing out of Spurs since a £40 million move from Leeds United, Gray could be in the thoughts of Tuchel. Scotland will be waiting to see whether he gets the nod though, as Gray's father, grandfather and great uncle all played for the Tartan Army and he too is eligible despite playing for England's youth sides.
Elliot Anderson - Scotland
In a carbon copy situation, Elliot Anderson has been in fine form for high-flying Nottingham Forest under Nuno Espirito Santo, who has said he "has enough talent to be regarded” for England selection.
The former Newcastle United midfielder is uncapped at senior level and has represented both England and Scotland at Under 21 level. He was called up to Scotland's seniors for World Cup qualifiers in August 2023 but pulled out due to injury and his options therefore remain open.
Jarell Quansah - Scotland, Ghana, and Barbados
The Liverpool centre-back was in England's provisional squad for Euro 2024 but was then cut by Gareth Southgate when he named his 26-man squad. Through his grandparents, Quansah is eligible to play for Scotland, Ghana and Barbados.
Liam Delap - Republic of Ireland
Many have tipped Liam Delap to get a call-up as another option in attack after a stellar season with Ipswich Town, where he's bagged 10 goals in 27 appearances. The former Manchester City man's throwing specialist dad Rory played for the Republic of Ireland because of family heritage and Delap is eligible to follow suit if not fancied.
Jobe Bellingham - Republic of Ireland
Tuchel is believed to be open to calling up players from the Championship, with Sunderland midfielder Jobe, brother of Three Lions and Real Madrid sensation Jude, said to be on his radar.
Like his older brother, Jobe is eligible to play for Ireland due to a paternal grandfather.
Omari Hutchinson - Jamaica
The second Ipswich Town star on the list, Omari Hutchinson's international situation has been a merry-go-round. In 2023, Hutchinson played twice for Jamaica but then rejected further call-ups to concentrate on his club football.
The ex Chelsea and Arsenal play then accepted a call-up to the England Under 21's and made his debut in August and has now reportedly chosen to play for the Three Lions, who is still eligible for because FIFA rules state that a player can switch nations if they have played no more than three competitive senior matches before the age of 21.
Callum Hudson Odoi - Ghana
Fresh from his winner against Manchester City, Callum Hudson-Odoi could also be an outside shout to find his way back in the England squad. He made his senior debut back in 2019 as an 18-year-old against the Czech Republic and played a further two times before finding himself out of the picture.
He is still eligible to play for Ghana but appears interested in joining his teammate Morgan Gibbs-White back in the England fold.
"I'm ready for whatever happens," Hudson-Odoi said.
"I just need to make sure I'm doing it on the pitch for the club. As you can see, they're here, watching us - so that shows we're doing something right, to be in those sorts of talks or contention.
"We need to keep believing in ourselves, trying to achieve as much as possible. And hopefully the boys get picked for England - it would be amazing if they did."
Topics: England, FIFA World Cup, Thomas Tuchel, Arsenal
Josh Lawless