England face Spain in an exciting Nations League clash at Wembley Stadium.
Republic of Ireland v England - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2
Declan Rice pulled out of the current England squad (Image: Getty)
England face Spain in their Nations League opener at Wembley tonight. The world champions are playing for the first time since beating Argentina in the World Cup final in the United States. Luis de la Fuente's side won the Nations League in 2023 and then beat England in the final of Euro 2024, which was also the last time these two nations faced off.
Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions are looking to bounce back after finishing third in the World Cup, beating France in a thrilling play-off days after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals. And Tuchel has sprung some surprises with his squad selection, with Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to the camp after a lengthy absence.
Charlie Malam
England need to go full strength - or as full strength as they can after the withdrawals - for what is a glamour match at Wembley. It is a chance to lay down a marker.
Declan Rice's withdrawal gives Thomas Tuchel the chance to start Alex Scott, who is better on the ball and can add an extra dimension in possession. That will be key against a Spain side that loves to dominate games.
The rest of the midfield and attack virtually picks itself, fitness permitting. In defence, Lewis Hall is England’s best natural left-back over Nico O’Reilly, who mostly plays as a midfielder for Man City.
It would be a bold call for Trent Alexander-Arnold to start immediately given his England exile under Tuchel. So Ezri Konsa goes out to right-back and Jarrad Branthwaite is rewarded for his excellent Everton form.
Amos Murphy
The good news for Thomas Tuchel is he doesn't really have a choice but to go full strength. Third-place play-off vs France aside, the German's last act was surrendering momentum to Argentina in the dying embers of the World Cup semi-final.
And then there's the opponents, world champions Spain. If England were to be on the end of a spanking this soon after the World Cup, questions would be levelled at Tuchel.
As such, expect a very similar starting XI to the one that played at the World Cup. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa to marshal the centre of defence in front of Jordan Pickford. Perhaps Lewis Hall comes in at left-back, but Djed Spence seems a sensible pick at right-back.
In the absence of Declan Rice, Alex Scott could be in line for a senior debut, but the likes of Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane will all be involved... at least you'd hope so.
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Archie Griggs
A win over the reigning world champions at Wembley would salvage some much-needed pride for England, with the pain of their World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina still fresh in the memory.
Tuchel should, therefore, avoid the temptation to experiment with the line-up and simply name his strongest available team. There will be a few enforced changes, though, with the likes of Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Reece James not involved.
The biggest call will be at right-back, where Ezri Konsa could be favoured over Trent Alexander-Arnold. Even though Konsa would be playing out of position, he is tried and tested for England whereas Alexander-Arnold is usually hit-and-miss at international level.
This would also see Jarrad Branthwaite, who has only been capped once before, handed an opportunity to impress in the middle of England's back four.
In midfield, Alex Scott should start alongside Elliot Anderson, while a frightening front three of Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane will be tasked with terrorising Spain's defenders.
Jack McEachen
There will be time to experiment over this international break, but Spain is the chance for Tuchel to make his first real statement after disappointment at the World Cup.
And what better opportunity than against the reigning world champions?
Most of the back four picks itself, but Thomas Tuchel has extended an olive branch to Trent Alexander-Arnold and he will be desperate to prove himself against a Spanish audience yet to see the best of him. Why pick a makeshift in Ezri Konsa or Jarrel Quansah when the best right-back in the world is available?
I would like to see Myles Lewis-Skelly get a chance in midfield. He is a standout performer there for the best team in the country and would allow Elliot Anderson the opportunity to push further forward.
And Morgan Rogers gets the nod over Anthony Gordon on the left, with the rest of the frontline as expected. The Chelsea new boy has been electrifying to start the season.