Thomas Tuchel has left Cole Palmer out of the England squad, along with Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo, but Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe and Fulham midfielder Josh King have earned their first senior call-ups.
Chelsea’s Palmer was hugely disappointed when he was overlooked for the World Cup in the summer after a stop-start season due to injury, and he withdrew from the last England camp in September and October because of a minor fitness issue, but he has been back to his best this season with five goals and three assists in 11 appearances.
When it was put to Tuchel in the last break that Palmer doesn’t seem desperate to play for England, he responded: “It’s hard to argue against what you’re saying. I can only judge him on what he is delivering for the national team and he’s just missing too many opportunities.”
Manchester United midfielder Mainoo also withdrew from the previous squad with an unspecified injury. Having failed to feature at the World Cup despite being selected, he will again miss out on England’s upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
Manchester City forward Foden remains out of favour despite contributing six goal involvements in as many games, having also been overlooked for last summer’s tournament and the autumn squad.
However, the notable absences have created opportunities for first-time call-ups for King and Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham, both of whom have previously represented England at youth level.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jay Bothroyd has questioned some of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad selections.
Defenders Trevoh Chalobah and Tino Livramento are both injured and drop out, with left-back Nico O’Reilly not included as he is “not 100 per cent” according to Man City head coach Enzo Maresca, but Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold keeps his place.
Inter Milan full-back Djed Spence returns for the first time since the World Cup after an injury, while Arsenal defender Ben White is recalled after being overlooked since March, when some England supporters booed him.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is ruled out with a thigh injury, so Everton’s James Garner, who was called up as a replacement in the autumn, comes in.
Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs-White will look to fill the void left by England stalwarts Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka, who are both injured.
More to follow…
England squad in full…
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Inter Milan), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Ben White (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), James Garner (Everton), Josh King (Fulham), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea).
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jobe Bellingham shows some neat skills for Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich.
England fixtures
- Thursday November 12: England vs Croatia, 7.45pm kick-off
- Sunday November 15: Spain vs England, 7.45pm kick-off