Tuchel starts Leeds keeper James Trafford, Pickford benched for Spain in Nations League | OneFootball

Tuchel starts Leeds keeper James Trafford, Pickford benched for Spain in Nations League | OneFootball

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·26 September 2026

Tuchel starts Leeds keeper James Trafford, Pickford benched for Spain in Nations League

Article image:Tuchel starts Leeds keeper James Trafford, Pickford benched for Spain in Nations League

Thomas Tuchel has sprung a major surprise, handing Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford a start against Spain in England’s first match since the World Cup and their Nations League opener at Wembley. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Jordan Pickford drops to the bench.

Trafford joined Leeds in the summer as record signing and new number one. The 23-year-old had been an England regular but did not play at the World Cup.


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Jordan Pickford featured throughout until the third-place play-off, when Dean Henderson started. Henderson is now injured, prompting a call-up for Brighton’s Jason Steele, and many expected Pickford to keep his place.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been recalled for four Nations League fixtures across September and October, beginning tonight. Harry Kane leads the line, with Calvert-Lewin among the substitutes.

Jayden Bogle and James Justin miss out, despite Bogle’s form that earned a Premier League player of the month nomination. Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the squad, and Jarell Quansah and Nico O’Reilly are seemingly deployed at full back.

Seemingly, they line up either side of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa in defence. Kick-off is at 7.45pm, live on ITV1.

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”

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