Rashford called up for England's World Cup qualifiers

Marcus Rashford has received a call-up to the England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. This announcement comes from Thomas Tuchel, the new manager of the national team. Rashford's selection is notable, especially since he missed out on the Euro 2024 due to lack of form. The forward has been performing well since joining Aston Villa on loan in January. He has contributed four assists in nine matches. At 27 years old, he now has the opportunity to add to his 60 international appearances. Rashford previously had a tough season at Manchester United and fell out of favor with the manager. His transfer to Aston Villa has revitalized his career, and the club has recently reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Currently, England lacks strong left-wingers. While players like Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze show promise, they have not solidified their spots in the national team. Rashford might find a key role in the England squad, especially with Ollie Watkins sidelined due to injury. He could be an option even as a backup striker behind Harry Kane. England appears to have more strength on the right side of the attack, so Tuchel may look to Rashford for added experience. England is favored to win their qualifiers against Latvia and Albania, thanks to their higher FIFA rankings. Tuchel's goal involves preparing for the 2026 World Cup. He brings a wealth of experience, having won several major club titles. However, Rashford's inconsistent form could be a concern. Tuchel will need to manage him wisely, especially as Rashford aims for at least 100 caps for the national team. If he maintains his good form, achieving this target seems possible.