England vs Albania LIVE: Thomas Tuchel takes charge of first game at Wembley

A banner behind one of the goals reads:

“Welcome to the home of football, Thomas”.

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Konsa, Burn, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Bellingham, Jones; Foden, Kane, Rashford

Subs: D Henderson,Trafford, James, Guehi, J Henderson, Colwill, Eze, Rogers,Gordon, Solanke, Bowen, Livramento.

England vs Albania will be shown live on ITV 1 and ITV X

“Big occasion. I’m a bit nervous, but more excited and happy we get the journey going.

“It was a simple decision to bring [Dan Burn] in. He had that huge final and impact here a few days ago. We didn’t wasnt to disrupt his wave. We opted for Dan and he was impressive in training and vocal.

“It felt like his 50th cap and not his first one.

Impressive. I understand why everyone loves the boy [Myles Lewis-Skelly] – a big character and very talented player. He is ready to go.”

Here we go! Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge is just moments away. Tuchel will observe the anthems, which are next.

Thomas Tuchel said last week that he feels he has to “earn the right” to sing the national anthem, so won’t do so for his first England games.

The new manager says he wants to get to the point where supporters feel “he should sing it now, he’s one of our own”.

One of the first things England’s young players noticed was how much Thomas Tuchel likes a laugh. He made them feel at ease. It’s an attitude that comes in handy for a question he was always going to get. England’s new German manager was naturally asked about 1966, and the manner of the men’s national team’s only ever trophy victory. Did Geoff Hurst’s second goal cross the line?

“There is still debate,” Tuchel chuckles. “I don’t think so but there was no VAR at this time so it stands!”

As good-humoured as all of this was, it should be acknowledged other managers would panic about saying something diplomatic. Tuchel just goes with it, knowing not to take certain aspects too seriously, because he saves that for the actual work. Duly, the atmosphere around training can instantly go from relaxed to intense

There is a deeper reason for that, too.

There’s a smile back on Marcus Rashford’s face after he was left out of England’s squad for the Euros, and was then overlooked by interim manager Lee Carsley.

The change of scene has helped at Aston Villa, as well as a fresh face in charge. Thomas Tuchel offers a clean start, but Rashford will know the competition is fierce and he will have to deliver.

Harry Kane is targeting the Ballon D’Or this year, believing Bayern Munich’s competitiveness gives him the chance he never had at Tottenham Hotspur.

The striker credited new England manager Thomas Tuchel for persuading him to join the club, as he now gets closer to the first domestic title of his career in the Bundesliga, while also having a real chance in the Champions League.

Kane, who has scored 32 goals in 37 games for Bayern this season, believes he now has more of an “aura” and “respect” as an elite player, simply by being at the club, and when the 31-year-old was directly asked if winning the Ballon D’Or was on his mind replied: “100 per cent”.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham spent Euro 2024 in Germany, in Blankenhain and Berlin, Dusseldorf and Dortmund, Frankfurt and Cologne. Dan Burn spent it in an Airbnb. It was another indication of the parallel lives of England’s resident superstars and the call-up with the most improbable back story in years, perhaps since Rickie Lambert or Chris Powell. Thomas Tuchel’s maiden selection was expected to contain men from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. It also included a player whose CV features Darlington, Yeovil and Asda.

Richard Jolly explores the rise of England’s debutant, Dan Burn, who has enjoyed quite the week.

Maybe a slightly surprising team for Tuchel’s first match, certainly in defence, where there are two debutants. That perhaps illustrates long-term issues with the squad, and maybe it’s better the manager tries to address all this now rather than steadily going with what was there.

By the same token, both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn have been in such exhilarating form. The other noteworthy inclusions are Curtis Jones in the middle and Marcus Rashford straight back in, having mostly been a sub for Aston Villa.

There was a great atmosphere at Wembley three hours beforehand, mostly due to the energy of Albanian fans.