Huge surprise with Leeds United star on England return vs Spain with striker call and right back decision
England boss Thomas Tuchel with a huge surprise involving a Leeds United star.
Boss Thomas Tuchel has delivered a huge surprise with a massive call on a Leeds United star for Saturday evening’s Nations League clash against Spain in the first game back after the World Cup.
Goalkeeper James Trafford joined Leeds as the club’s new no 1 and record signing in the summer transfer window, the keeper already a regular in the England squad but an unused substitute in every game at the World Cup.
Trafford was an unused substitute for all eight games at the World Cup as Everton’s Jordan Pickford played every minute of every match up until the third place play-off in which Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson was given a start in goal.
Henderson is now out injured, leading to a call-up for Brighton’s Jason Steele but it had been expected that Pickford would resume his place in nets for the Nations League visit of Spain and that Trafford and Steele would be named on the bench.
Tuchel, though, has made a huge call by selecting 23-year-old Trafford to start as Pickford drops to the bench for the first game of England’s new Nations League campaign against the world champions at Wembley.
Trafford’s Leeds team mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fine displays were also rewarded with an England recall for the four Nations League games during the extended September and October break, starting with Saturday’s visit of Spain.
As expected, Three Lions captain Harry Kane leads the line upfront as Calvert-Lewin is named on the bench.
Despite his impressive form which saw him nominated for the Premier League player of the month award, Whites right Jayden Bogle and also James Justin both failed to make Tuchel’s squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is now back in the squad but Tuchel has selected Jarell Quansah and Nico O’Reilly with the pair seemingly playing as full backs, either side of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa in defence.
England play Spain in a 7.45pm kick-off which is live on ITV1.