Thomas Tuchel insists Ivan Toney ‘deserves’ England call-up while Dominic Solanke snub explained ahead of Andorra and Senegal games
Published 23/05/2025 at 12:06 GMT+1
Thomas Tuchel insisted that Ivan Toney deserves to be in his England squad based on his performances in the Saudi Pro League, where he has netted 22 goals in 29 games for Al Ahli and won the Asian Champions League. Elsewhere, the German explained the inclusion of Trevoh Chalobah, and why Tottenham's Dominic Solanke and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi were absent from his squad.
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Thomas Tuchel insisted that Ivan Toney "deserves" to be in the England squad based on his performances in the Saudi Pro League.
Toney, who has not played for The Three Lions since last summer's transfer from Brentford to Saudi side Al Ahli, was the surprise inclusion in Tuchel’s squad ahead of June's World Cup qualifier against Andorra and friendly versus Senegal.
The striker has scored 22 goals in 29 appearances in the Saudi Pro League this season, while he was central to his team winning the Asian Champions League earlier this month.
"Ivan deserves to be with us," Tuchel said. "I'm convinced. He's scored over 20 goals for Al Ahli this season, he won a major title - the Asian Champions League - and had a big involvement in the team in goals and assists."
Toney’s inclusion, however, means there's no place for Tottenham’s UEFA Europa League winning forward Dominic Solanke, who has registered 15 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term for Ange Postecoglou's side.
Tuchel continued: "It is a good occasion now to also test new players, see new players in the environment. We decided to nominate three strikers in the squad.
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"I had a call with Dom Solanke who deserved to be with us and won a big trophy this season.
"But he was in camp already and I have a clear picture of what he can bring and now is the moment to see new players and get a feel for them in the group."
Chalobah included, Guehi left out
Elsewhere, Tuchel explained that Marc Guehi was absent from his squad due an injury he suffered in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph last Saturday.
Trevoh Chalobah, who played alongside Guehi at Palace on loan in the first half of the season, has been called up instead.
Tuchel said: "Marc was normally meant to be with us of course. He is the captain of Crystal Palace and they had a huge win in the FA Cup.
"He is a big part of the success story. He got injured in the final and it is a facial injury and the specialist told us not to take the risk.
"On Trevoh, he deserves it, easy at that. He has played a fantastic second half of the season with Chelsea. He has been very consistent at a very high level."
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England squad in full
Goalkeepers:
Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders:
Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Kyle Walker, Myles Lewis-Skelly
Midfielders:
Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
Forwards:
Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Harry Kane
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