Opinion: 10 uncapped England players who deserve call-ups

Thomas Tuchel has some decisions to make.

The England manager raised eyebrows with some selections for the World Cup in North America over the summer. Some of them, like Djed Spence, were unexpected successes. The likes of Jordan Henderson, however, played just six minutes while Kobbie Mainoo was the only outfield player to not play a single minute at the tournament.

German boss Tuchel clearly has a surprise up his sleeve, and there is a select pool of uncapped English players who may fancy their chances of an inclusion in his squad for the Nations League, which begins later this month.

For some of these players, a call-up is long overdue, while others will feel that their performances at the start of the 2026/27 season have merited a nod.

Without further ado, here is a list of ten uncapped players who could realistically be in with a chance of being called up by Tuchel this September.

1. Jamie Gittens – Chelsea

22-year-old winger Jamie Gittens had a breakthrough season at Borussia Dortmund in 2024/25, recording an impressive 12 goals for the German giants, earning him a move to Chelsea.

Last season was disruptive for his personal development, with injuries and Chelsea going through three managers, and Gittens only completed 90 minutes in the Premier League on one occasion.

Since the arrival of Xabi Alonso, the Reading-born talent has shown glimpses of quality, and, for a manager like Tuchel who plays with direct wingers, Gittens could sneak into the squad.

2. Keane Lewis-Potter – Brentford

Maybe the first controversial call, but Hull-born Keane Lewis-Potter has had a fine start to the Premier League season.

He can play on either flank as a winger or wing-back, has firmly cemented himself as a key player in Keith Andrews’ Brentford side, and has a goal and an assist to his name in his first three Premier League matches, as The Bees remain unbeaten.

It feels like Lewis-Potter has been around forever, but he is only 25, so there is still plenty of time for him to win over Tuchel. But with the winger bang in form, now seems like as good a time as any.

3. Jacob Ramsey – Newcastle

Jacob Ramsey had slow start to his first season at Newcastle United after moving from boyhood club Aston Villa in the summer of 2025, but really came into his own as the year went on.

He is highly-rated among Newcastle supporters and proved his worth with some excellent performances at the end of last season, and has started the season well.

The 25-year-old scored a wonderful late equaliser against Bournemouth to maintain Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the season, which Tuchel would have undoubtedly taken note of. Similarly to Lewis-Potter, he has time to win over the German.

4. Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham is developing in a position England need.

He’s not simply “Jude’s brother”, he is developing his own impressive career at 20 years old, he has amassed significant Premier League and Champions League experience, and has proven his defensive awareness, physicality and ball-carrying ability.

Additionally, he has 85 Championship matches and 11 goals under his belt, and could easily have moved to a Premier League club instead of going to Germany.

Tuchel clearly likes players with Bundesliga experience – could Jobe be joining his brother in the senior England setup before long?

5. Alex Scott – Bournemouth

One of several players in this list that I can’t believe hasn’t already had an England cap.

Another central midfielder, Scott has been linked with big-money moves to the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham, having proven his worth as a complete midfielder for Bournemouth since signing from Bristol City.

He has established himself as a crucial player under first Andoni Iraola and now Marco Rose, and The Cherries earned plaudits for convincing him to stay.

Scott was called up to the England squad in 2025 but didn’t win a cap – could this be the time for the “Guernsey Grealish”?

 

6. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Everton

The fourth central midfielder on this list (with a fifth to come), and another player that I had to double-check hadn’t actually been called up.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored eight league goals and registered four assists last season for Everton, cementing his status as a goalscoring midfielder for David Moyes’ side after arriving from Chelsea – he scored in The Toffees’ 2-0 opening day victory over Crystal Palace.

At 28, Dewsbury-Hall is very much in his prime, which distinguishes him from the previously-mentioned midfielders. As far as England is concerned, it’s almost “now or never” territory.

 

7. Ayden Heaven – Manchester United

Left-footed centre-back Ayden Heaven, who turns 20 on 22 September, is the first defender on this list.

He has become a useful player for Manchester United under Michael Carrick since moving from Arsenal in 2024, and has been capped at England youth level up to Under 20. He has already showed that he can handle big Premier League matches at such as tender age, and, with a lack of left-footed centre backs, is exactly the profile of player that Tuchel should be developing.

He would be another surprise inclusion, but England are lacking depth at centre-back, and Tuchel could do a lot worse than include the Londoner.

 

8. Josh Acheampong – Chelsea

Josh Acheampong has really come into his own under Xabi Alonso.

His breakthrough season came last year, making 31 appearances during an unsettled campaign for The Blues, but he has played in every competitive match so far under the new manager.

The defender, who has demonstrating his versatility with his ability to play at full back or centre-back, has been capped at every youth level from Under 16 to Under 21, and could provide useful cover for Tuchel at the Nations League.

Training alongside the likes of John Stones, Marc Guehi and clubmate Reece James on the international stage would be valuable experience, and minutes in the Nations League would be a statement of intent that Tuchel will want to develop him as a footballer.

 

9. Tyler Morton – Olympique Lyonnais

Arguably the most controversial shout in the list. Tyler Morton left Liverpool for Lyon last summer after quickly falling out of favour and experiencing a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers, with mixed success.

But Morton quickly became a key player in Paulo Fonseca’s midfield, striking up a midfield partnership with the experienced Corentin Tolisso.

Morton, 22, has Champions League and Europa League experience, and, if included, will be used in the Number 6 role – sitting in front of the defence, recycling the ball and allowing the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to play their game.

Morton has represented England at Under 20 and Under 21 level and was part of the side that won the European Under 21 Championships in 2025.

At 22, there is plenty of time for him to grow into an established international.

 

10. Lewis Miley - Newcastle United

Yet another player who arguably should've been capped by now. Lewis Miley broke into the first-team at Newcastle at just 17 years of age, and hasn't looked back since.

Now 20, Miley is the sort of midfield player that Tuchel should be monitoring closely for the next generation. He has plenty of youth team experience - now it could be time to take the step up.

Miley is more than comfortable at Premier League level, and has held his own in the Champions League, and has the potential to develop into a very solid England player.