Thomas Tuohy has once again turned his attention to the England senior team, reinstating both Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. The pair, who missed out on the World Cup roster, are now back in the 27‑man training camp that will run for three weeks and feature four matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic (twice).
This article recaps the latest squad announcement, examines the rationale behind the recalls, and explores the broader implications for England's tactical setup. ### The revised 27‑man list The new England roster contains eight changes compared with the World Cup squad, reflecting Tuohy’s desire to refresh the group after a disappointing summer. Among the notable inclusions are: - **Trent Alexander‑Arnold** (Real Madrid, right‑back) – returning for the first time since June 2025.
- **Cole Palmer** (Chelsea, attacking midfielder/forward) – a high‑profile omission from the World Cup side. - **Rio Nguhoma** (Liverpool, 18‑year‑old winger) – impressed during the pre‑World Cup friendlies and earns his first senior call‑up. - **Alex Scott** (Bournemouth, uncapped midfielder) – another fresh face added to the midfield pool.
- **Jarrad Branthwaite** (Everton, centre‑back) – his first selection under Tuohy. - **Lewis Hall**, **Dominic Calvert‑Lewin**, **Myles Lewis‑Skelly** – all recalled after missing the previous tournament.
- **Kobbie Mainoo** (Manchester United) – retained despite not featuring at the World Cup. The goalkeeping department remains unchanged with Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion) and James Trafford (Leeds United) on the bench. Defenders, midfielders and forwards are listed in the original announcement, but the key narrative is the blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers. ### Who has been left out?
A number of players who featured at the World Cup are absent from this camp, either due to injury or tactical decisions. Notable absences include: - **Phil Foden**, **Morgan Gibbs‑White**, **Adam Wharton** – all omitted despite strong club form. - **Ollie Watkins**, **Ivan Toney**, **Noni Madueke** – dropped from the squad. - Injured veterans such as **Reece James**, **John Stones**, **Djed Spence**, **Dan Burn**, **Jordan Henderson**, **Dean Henderson**, and **Riyad Mahrez** (not listed but similarly sidelined) are unavailable.
These exclusions underline Tuohy’s willingness to overhaul the group and experiment with different personnel ahead of the crucial Nations League matches. ### Tuohy’s comments on the recalls When asked why Alexander‑Arnold and Palmer were brought back, Tuohy explained that both players had enjoyed a strong start to their club seasons and had not done anything to warrant exclusion. He said: > "Cole has regained his goal‑scoring and assist numbers, and he has something to prove.
The same goes for Trent – he was never non‑selectable, but the competition is fierce and he must now demonstrate he can be the best version of himself at right‑back." Tuohy emphasized that the upcoming camp will be a test of form and fitness, not a guaranteed ticket to the starting eleven. He stressed that the players must earn their places through performance, noting that the squad will be under constant evaluation. ### Why the shift for Alexander‑Arnold? Alexander‑Arnold’s return is particularly intriguing because Tuohy previously dismissed him as not fitting his ideal right‑back profile.
The Liverpool stalwart moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2025, where he has been deployed both as a traditional full‑back and, on occasion, in a more advanced midfield role. In his five league appearances for Madrid, he recorded one assist and featured in the Champions League quarter‑final victory over Inter Milan, where he was used in central midfield by José Mourinho. Mourinho praised Alexander‑Arnold’s work ethic but highlighted occasional lapses in possession and the physical demands of a midfield position. At Real Madrid, Alexander‑Arnold now competes with Denzel Dumfries for the right‑back spot, after previously battling Dani Carvajal.
His technical attributes—especially his long passing and set‑piece delivery—remain elite, but defensive consistency continues to be a concern for any manager. Tuohy’s decision to recall him suggests a reassessment of those concerns. Perhaps the England coaching staff believes that Alexander‑Arnold’s attacking contributions can offset any defensive vulnerabilities, especially if paired with a defensively solid partner like Tino Livramento or a versatile centre‑back such as Marc Guéhi. ### Palmer’s resurgence Cole Palmer’s omission from the World Cup squad raised eyebrows, given his prolific season with Chelsea, where he has been a key creative outlet and goal scorer.
In the first half of the 2025‑26 Premier League campaign, Palmer recorded double‑digit goal contributions and a high assist tally, prompting Tuohy to note that “he has his numbers back.” Palmer’s versatility—capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or wide forward—offers England a flexible option in the final third. His inclusion could also provide a different dynamic to the attacking unit that currently relies heavily on the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford. ### Tactical implications for the Nations League The upcoming fixtures present a chance for Tuohy to experiment with formations and player combinations.
With Alexander‑Arnold potentially operating as an overlapping right‑back or even a midfield pivot, England could adopt a 4‑3‑3 with a more fluid back‑line, allowing full‑backs to join the attack while a defensive midfielder shields the centre‑backs. Palmer’s presence gives Tuohy the option to shift to a 4‑2‑3‑1, using him as the central attacking midfielder behind Kane, or to maintain a 4‑3‑3 with Palmer on the left wing, exploiting his ability to cut inside and create shooting opportunities. The inclusion of young talents like Rio Nguhoma and Alex Scott also suggests that Tuohy is keen to test the depth of his attacking and midfield options. ### Schedule and expectations England’s Nations League calendar is as follows: - **Saturday 26 September** – Home vs Spain, kickoff 19:45.
- **Tuesday 29 September** – Away vs Czech Republic, kickoff 19:45. - **Saturday 3 October** – Away vs Croatia, kickoff 17:00. - **Tuesday 6 October** – Home vs Czech Republic, kickoff 19:45.
These matches will determine England’s standing in League A and could influence qualification for the next major tournament. Strong performances from the recalled players will be crucial for their personal ambitions and for England’s collective success. ### Fan reaction and media analysis The announcement sparked a flurry of commentary on social platforms and from pundits. Some fans expressed relief at seeing Alexander‑Arnold back, citing his exceptional crossing and set‑piece expertise as long‑awaited assets.
Others questioned whether his defensive lapses could be a liability against high‑pressing opponents like Spain. Sky Sports analysts offered mixed views. Kaveh Solhekol argued that Tuohy’s extensive changes indicate a willingness to learn from the World Cup shortcomings, while Peter Smith highlighted the symbolic nature of an English player at Real Madrid making the national squad.
Both agreed that the new selection appears more balanced and that the upcoming camp will be a decisive period for the manager’s reputation. ### Conclusion Thomas Tuohy’s decision to bring back Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer signals a clear shift in his evaluation of talent and form. By blending experienced internationals with emerging prospects, England aims to rectify the issues that hampered their World Cup performance. The Nations League fixtures will serve as a testing ground for the revised squad, and the performances of Alexander‑Arnold, Palmer, and the other newcomers will likely shape the future direction of the Three Lions.
The next few weeks promise intense competition for places, tactical experimentation, and the chance for players to prove that they belong on the international stage once more.