‘What a mess' – England fans fume at Tuchel for bizarre experimental XI with Henderson picked over Rice vs Andorra
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ENGLAND fans have been left less than impressed by Thomas Tuchel's experimental starting lineup for the Three Lions clash with Andorra today.
England take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier at 5pm and Tuchel has decided to shake things up with an unusual XI.
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Thomas Tuchel has chosen to start Jordan Henderson against Andorra
Credit: Getty
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Henderson will make his first start for England since November 2023
Credit: Getty
The England boss has rested star midfielder Declan Rice in favour of Jordan Henderson from the off.
Henderson, 34, makes his first start for the national team since November 2023.
It's thought that Rice is being rested with a view to starting against Senegal on Tuesday evening instead.
Other unusual choices appear to include Reece James starting at left-back and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones being deployed as a make-shift right-back.
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Although, some have speculated that Jones could be playing in midfield with Tuchel opting to play a back three.
Big names like Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer all start from the off too.
While there's starts of Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke as well.
Fans aren't keen on the unusual lineup and took to social media to vent their frustrations.
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One wrote: "What a mess of an XI".
While another added: "It's 2025 and Jordan Henderson is starting for England".
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A third fumed: "That is horrific".
And a fourth joked: "Can someone tell me the formation we're playing? I'm confused. Who is playing in defence?"
There's no place in the starting lineup for Ivan Toney, who Tuchel has recalled to the England setup despite his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
While Bukayo Saka misses out on a place in the matchday squad entirely after struggling with an injury he suffered while with Arsenal.
Saka is yet to feature under Tuchel after he withdrew from the German's first camp with injury too.
Speaking on Friday, Tuchel said of Saka: "He came into camp with a little bit of discomfort from the last match against Southampton, so we took care of him and treated him individually until today basically.
'It was the first training session that he started and finished with the group. Yesterday, he started with the group but did not finish with the group, so let's see.
"I'm not sure if we take the risk for tomorrow's game.
"The decision has not been taken, but he will be available for the Senegal match, and he plays a major role in our thoughts how to build a competitive team.
'I think just that he grew in his personality with every season that he played so consistently for his club, and the club grew with him and became so competitive."
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Ivan Toney starts on the bench for England
Credit: PA
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