Season › 2024-25 › News Tuchel drops Branthwaite from England Squad Anjishnu Roy 14/03/2025 32comments | Jump to last Jarrad Branthwaite has been dropped by Thomas Tuchel from the England squad for upcoming internationals as he names his own set of players for his first selection since taking over from Gareth Southgate. Tuchel has recalled former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who is 35 in June, while Marcus Rashford is rewarded with a return to the squad for his fine form on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United. Jarrad Branthwaite, who made his senior national team debut in June last year when he won a full cap under Southgate, misses out despite being in outstanding form since manager David Moyes returned to Goodison Park. He will be disappointed with the omission given his consistently impressive performances at the heart of the Toffees backline under David Moyes. Jarrad Branthwaite is called up to the England U21 squad after not making the cut for Thomas Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad list. The Everton defender will instead feature in a 25-man U21 squad that will take on France and Portugal in friendly matches. Tuchel, who took over from Gareth Southgate at the beginning of this year, decided to call up Newcastle United’s Dan Burn instead of the 22-year-old. The Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, a mainstay in the England camp, has been included in the squad to face England’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. Branthwaite recently spoke about how being omitted from the Euro 2024 squad “motivated” him to perform better. The centre-back, included in the provisional 33-man squad, was left out of the final squad and had to watch the Three Lions finish runners-up from home instead. "I think every player does have an eye on it," Branthwaite told BBC Sport when asked if he is already looking ahead to next year's tournament. "I missed out recently with a big squad and I don't want that feeling again. That gave me motivation to [make sure] every game I play is my best to help my club and then give myself the best possible chance to be in the England squad. "Once it comes around, that is my main ambition – to be picked in that squad." There’s no question that it is only a matter of time for Branthwaite to make the leap as a national team mainstay. He was unfortunate to miss out on selection this time around but Everton fans can be confident that the 22-year-old will only use this as fuel for growth. With the FIFA World Cup set to be held next year, Branthwaite will already have one eye on the tournament and will be keen on impressing Tuchel. Reader Comments (32) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Brian Harrison 1 Posted 14/03/2025 at 09:36:40 Really surprised that Branthwaite isn't in the squad yet Quansah is, I think he has started a handful of games yet is now selected for England. Rashford has had 6 games, mostly as sub, in the last 6 months. Henderson wasnt good enough 2 years ago and is brought back. Dan Burn, is he really better than Branthwaite. From a very selfish angle, maybe Branthwaite not being in the squad means he won't be in the shop window as much as if he was selected. Bring back Carsley. Dave Abrahams 2 Posted 14/03/2025 at 09:41:07 Rob, Burn and Henderson seem very strange choices seeing that they are only average players and both over 30.Maybe Tuchel picked the wrong games to watch Branthwaite. He hasn't always looked as good as we know he is in a few games the last couple of months. John Williams 3 Posted 14/03/2025 at 09:43:19 Its all about opinions. I actually think Branthwaite was playing better last season than he is at present, but we all think we know better than professional team managers. Robert Tressell 4 Posted 14/03/2025 at 09:45:54 The message to Branthwaite is that he may need to be playing for a higher profile club if he wants England recognition. Although John is right – he's not having the best of seasons. Colwill, Konsa and Quansah are all decent players in good form playing for clubs having good seasons – and not just in the domestic league.Branthwaite is very good. Better than Konsa and Quansah. Remains to be seen if he's better than Colwill who is also a very classy left-footed centre-back. Brian Harrison 5 Posted 14/03/2025 at 09:58:03 Robert,So you think the message to Branthwaite is: "You need to be playing for a higher profile club in order to be selected for England"? So do you think this is the message that Tuchel is sending or you just feel this in general? I listened to his fellow German, Jans Lehman the other week. Asked if he thought Tutchel would win anything with England, he said he didn't rate him and he doesn't believe he would be considered for the German national manager's job. Quite unusual for an ex-player to be as scathing as Lehman was. But looking at Tutchel's first squad, I think Lehmans is right. Robert Tressell 6 Posted 14/03/2025 at 10:14:58 Brian, it's the message in general. Not specific to Tuchel. With a few exceptions we've seen a fair bit of that down the years with England. I imagine other clubs and players outside of the media darlings feel similar. Jack Convery 7 Posted 14/03/2025 at 10:15:29 How many times has Dan Burn been MotM for the Barcodes? Quansah… what the fuck?. Branthwaite on one leg is better than both of them, for fuck's sake.Come Saturday:"You can stick your England squad up your arse, You can stick your England squad up your arse, You can stick your England squad, stick your England squad, stick your England squad up your arse, Sideways!" Liam Mogan 8 Posted 14/03/2025 at 10:18:50 Looks like he needs a few bowls of scouse does Tommy Tuchel. Skinniest legs since Olive Oil. Christy Ring 9 Posted 14/03/2025 at 10:56:20 England squad a total joke, Quansah a sub for the redshite, Burn 32, despite Tarkowski and Branthwaite being superb together, Henderson on bench for Ajax? I thought Tuchel knew something about football. Jim Bennings 10 Posted 14/03/2025 at 11:41:53 Haven't even seen the England squad no. Frankly, Tuchel is the weirdest appointment I could have possibly even imagined as England manager anyway, not that he's a bad manager, just thinks for both him and the England national side it's weird. Tom Bowers 11 Posted 14/03/2025 at 11:51:14 Tuchel proving he is no better with England than he was in the Premier League. Rashford, Henderson, Burn, Quansah and Jones — you have to be kidding me.If this lot, then why no Garner? And if Henderson ,why not Young??? This is a joke squad! Andrew Merrick 12 Posted 14/03/2025 at 12:44:38 The England games are generally poor, they were more interesting when Lee was trying out new players and tactics, but the Tuchel squad is uninspiring.With us, Alcaraz is a buy, JB is a keeper. Neil Lawson 13 Posted 14/03/2025 at 13:48:16 Tuchel said words to the effect "the best players won't always make the best team". Now that is true. Judging by his squad selection, that is the only thing he has said which is sensible.Moyes certainly adopts that approach; hence I remain dubious as to whether Alcaraz will start. I hope he does. He is a breath of fresh air and capable of being a game changer. He is also the player most likely to feed Beto the correct service. Paul Hewitt 14 Posted 14/03/2025 at 13:51:17 I'm glad Branthwaite hasn't been picked. Michael Connelly 15 Posted 14/03/2025 at 14:06:33 Not sure he has been in outstanding form. Has been tripping over himself a few times recently. Mike Hayes 16 Posted 14/03/2025 at 14:18:21 Might keep the vultures away 🤷💙 Danny O'Neill 17 Posted 14/03/2025 at 14:22:54 Or conversely Mike, the player feels he has to go elsewhere to further his international ambitions?? Derek Knox 18 Posted 14/03/2025 at 14:59:08 Danny O, I hope that is not the case, but who knows ? Only talk last week he was willing to stay with us and extend his contract.'Sour grapes view' on his non-inclusion, he could get injured, as in any game, and be out for a considerable period. Ian Wilkins 19 Posted 14/03/2025 at 15:01:17 That squad is pants…Henderson… really? Rashford, Walker, Burn. Bizarre selections. Giving Tuchel an 18-month contract could set English squad development back significantly. Jarmo Rahnasto 20 Posted 14/03/2025 at 15:10:46 Quansah??? Kieran Kinsella 21 Posted 14/03/2025 at 15:44:03 I don't have a problem with Branthwaite being left out as he has had an up-and-down season. However, this smacks of Capello's Euro 2010 mentality when he decided we needed "experience" and drafted in old timers like Carragher, Upson etc who couldn't make the team in their peak years. He even tried to get Scholes out of retirement and had a decrepit Beckham as a non-playing "leader." Dunk aged 32 is in the squad because to quote Tuchel he is "really tall" and "we had a great phone call." Henderson playing in a sub par league also "had a great call." Then you look at Spain and you have 16- and 17-year-olds picked on talent and they win the Euros. This dinosaur "good old boys" stuff has never worked and never will. The token youngsters are Skelley of Aresnal, who has been sent off three times in his 12-game career and Quansah. Both selected because of where they play versus how they play. No accommodations for current form and inclusions of Forest players for example. Additonally, the English players in Germany and Italy aren't even considered but somehow the Saudi/Dutch league veteran is the top pick. Paul Ferry 22 Posted 14/03/2025 at 15:48:38 Branthwaite has hardly covered himself in glory in what has been for him an inconsistent season. That said, however, some of those picks by Tommy Dummkoph are erm jaw-dropping. I bet Hendo starts. Tommy D scares me… He has the haunted sunken eye look of an amateur body dissectionist or Gordon Lee. Kieran Kinsella 23 Posted 14/03/2025 at 15:54:03 Dave Abrahams and quite a few on here will remember watching or reading the paper when Frank Hudspeth and Clem Stephenson made their debuts for England well into their 30s. By comparison, Dan Burn is a spring chicken. Dave Abrahams 24 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:06:33 Kieran (23) Kieran strangely enough seeing Burn getting his first cap brought to mind a player making his debut for England at 37 and he was better known for playing a different sport.Get your thinking caps on and no cheating looking it up. Dave Abrahams 25 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:09:38 Cancel that @ (24) I just looked it up to make sure I was correct but I was wrong—— he had turned 38 when he was picked. Kieran Kinsella 26 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:12:43 Dave 24I already inadvertently cheated. I just read about Mr Compton this morning. I'd heard the name before but never realized his age. Tony Abrahams 27 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:25:53 No way should Brainthwaite turn up for England under 21’s. A slight injury should be the prognosis already Jeff Armstrong 28 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:38:06 Dennis Compton, England cricket captain.England are going backwards with Skeletor in charge. Danny O'Neill 29 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:38:50 I guess each coach will have their own ideas and live by their decisions.Disappointed for the player, but pleased for Everton.He's way above U21s now and quite honestly, that's an insult to him. Dave Abrahams 30 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:42:48 Kieran, Leslie Compton played in the 1950 cup final with his more famous brother Dennis forget who they beat 2-0 but it didn’t half make me happy——by the way I know you wouldn’t cheat like me you are a Catholic and cannot tell a lie!Leslie was wicket keeper for Middlesex not sure if he played for England at cricket, John Rafferty would know I think. Dave Abrahams 31 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:46:02 Jeff (28) nearly Jeff see above posts!.—— Oh and I’m not sure Dennis ever captained England at cricket! Raymond Fox 32 Posted 14/03/2025 at 16:47:11 I've no time for the England team, when it comes to playing the best teams they are outclassed. As for Branthwaite its better for us he's not picked, although we are safe and can coast to the end of the season.I agree with others who have said he's not played as well this season. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb