Thomas Tuchel named only two recognised strikers in 26-man England squad
Watkins sustained an injury during Villa's 3-0 midweek Champions League
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By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 14:24 EDT, 14 March 2025 | Updated: 14:24 EDT, 14 March 2025
Ollie Watkins was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's first England squad due to a minor knee injury which he and the Three Lions boss agreed to rest, a report has claimed.
The German's first squad announcement for matches against Latvia and Albania later this month raised several eyebrows, particularly in the forward positions where only two recognised strikers were selected.
Watkins would have been expected to be part of the group, given his impressive form for Aston Villa this term and in recent seasons as well as his contribution to England's run to the final of Euro 2024.
However, it has now emerged that the 29-year-old will miss the first camp due to an injury sustained in Villa's 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge on Wednesday.
According to Sky Sports, Watkins and Tuchel agreed that it would be best for him to miss the slate of international fixtures in order to rest.
Villa will hope that their star man is fit and firing for their crucial set of matches after club football's hiatus which include quarter-finals in the FA Cup, Champions League and heavyweight Premier League clashes.
Ollie Watkins sustained a minor knee injury during Aston Villa's midweek win over Club Brugge
Thomas Tuchel and the striker reportedly decided it would be best for him to miss the international matches
Meanwhile, Tuchel will have to make do without the hero of England's Euro 2024 semi-final win over Netherlands, who had been pushing skipper Harry Kane for the starting berth.
His absence from the 26-man roster was one of a number of surprises. Elsewhere, both Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford were recalled by the former Chelsea boss.
Rashford has made nine appearances in all competitions for his new club and while he has yet to score, the forward has made a valuable contribution, including notching four assists.
He has shown signs of a revival under Unai Emery, responding impressively to being left out of Man United's squad in the final weeks of his time at his boyhood club.
Henderson has not played for England since November 2023, having moved to Saudi Arabia and then to Ajax.
His final outings in 2023 were marred with protests and boos as fans made their feelings known on what has seen as a controversial move to Al-Ettifaq.
Tuchel believes the 24-year-old an still be a 'big' part of England's future after the shock call up.
'I think his career and the way he plays now and imposes himself at Ajax is just so impressive,' said Tuchel.
Watkins' Villa team-mate Marcus Rashford was one of the shock inclusions in Tuchel's first squad
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'He builds on character, personality and energy that he brings to the team.
'For me, Jordan is a similar call-up for the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders and they carry their teams.
'It's absolutely reliable what they bring in terms of energy and this is where the focus is also for us to build a strong team and a cohesive team. Jordan is a big piece in that puzzle for us.'
Dan Burn, 32, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, are the two men looking forward to their debut England senior camps.
The defenders come into the squad at a time when the likes of Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold are missing through injury.