Chalobah, Trafford called up to England squad for final World Cup qualifiers

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford have received late call-ups to the England squad after Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope were forced to withdraw due to injuries. 

The announcement comes as manager Thomas Tuchel finalises preparations for England’s final World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and Serbia.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe confirmed that winger Gordon is sidelined with a hip injury, while goalkeeper Pope is recovering from a concussion sustained over the weekend. 

Both players’ withdrawals were officially confirmed by the Football Association on Tuesday morning. Their absences prompted Tuchel to bolster his squad, turning to two players who have impressed with their recent club form.

Chalobah’s inclusion marks a welcome return to the national team setup. The 26-year-old earned his first England call-up under Tuchel in May and made his debut against Senegal shortly afterward. 

Despite missing the squad in September and October, his consistent performances for Chelsea this season, missing just four matches in all competitions, have earned him another opportunity at international level.

Tuchel’s faith in Chalobah stretches back to his time at Chelsea, where the German coach handed the defender his senior debut in 2021. 

Since then, Chalobah has grown into a reliable figure for the Blues, helping them to third place in the Premier League and deep runs in both the Carabao Cup and Champions League. His call-up also continues a family legacy, as he follows his brother Nathaniel Chalobah in representing England at senior level.

Meanwhile, Trafford’s selection rewards his progress with Manchester City, where the young goalkeeper has continued to develop under Pep Guardiola. 

The 22-year-old joins Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson as England’s goalkeeping options for the final qualifying fixtures, providing Tuchel with valuable depth between the posts.

With England already assured of qualification for next summer’s World Cup, the upcoming matches offer Tuchel a chance to experiment with squad rotation and assess emerging talents.