'51% Jarrad' - Tuchel explains choosing Branthwaite over Colwill

[BBC] England boss Thomas Tuchel says the decision to include Everton 's Jarrad Branthwaite over Chelsea 's Levi Colwill in his England squad for the upcoming international break was as close as "51% on Jarrad". Both left-footed central defenders were not included in this summer's World Cup squad after 2025-26 campaigns significantly disrupted by injury. On Colwill, 23, who missed the entirety of the campaign with a serious knee injury but has started three of Chelsea's opening four Premier League games, Tuchel said: "He is very close. I have a very clear picture of what Levi can give to his team and to us, and about his strengths." Branthwaite's hamstring problems limited him to just 10 Premier League appearances last season but the 24-year-old has played every minute of Everton's league games so far in 2026-27. "I wanted to give Jarrad the chance. He was injured several times when we had the chance to call him up," Tuchel explained. "Now he had a very good start with Everton and is also left-footed - it was just a 51% on Jarrad because I don't have a clear idea what he is about but I have a clear picture of what Levi can bring us."