The Three Lions Recall Saka But Bellingham, Foden & Grealish Are Omitted

Bukayo Saka in action

Bukayo Saka has recorded 12 goals in 44 appearances for the national team.

England have called up the Arsenal winger for upcoming games against Latvia and Wales, but there is no place for Bellingham, Foden or Jack Grealish.

Arsenal forward Saka missed the previous qualifier wins over Andorra and Serbia due to a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old made a comeback for his club and scored in their victory over the Greek side midweek.

Saka replaces Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke, who is sidelined till next month because of a knee problem.

The Three Lions meet Wales in a friendly at Wembley this week prior to a World Cup qualifier in Riga on 14 October.

Should England triumph in Latvia, they will need a just two more points from their final two matches versus Albania and Serbia in November to reach next summer's tournament in North America.

Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah replaces Newcastle's Livramento, who is sidelined for two months following suffering a knee injury versus the Gunners last weekend.

Elliot Anderson and Spence, who earned their first England call-ups last month, retain their places. Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, even with the return to fitness of Adam Wharton.

The attacker has only played a single match for Tuchel since he became national team boss, because of injury concerns.

The midfielder missed the previous squad as he recovered from shoulder surgery and has managed just one start for Real Madrid since returning to fitness.

Foden was omitted from Tuchel's previous selection after a loss of form and has been unsuccessful in returning, despite a strong start to the season with Manchester City.

Grealish also is excluded despite a revival in form on loan at Everton. He has not played for England since last year.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Pickford (the Toffees), Trafford (City)

Backline: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Palace), James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (the Gunners), Quansah (Leverkusen), Spence (Spurs), Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Villa)

Forwards: Bowen (West Ham United), Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Kane (Bayern), Marcus Rashford (Barca), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Watkins (Aston Villa)

'Focus on omissions over inclusions'

The manager’s latest England squad brings scrutiny to the players the head coach has omitted instead of the included names.

Bellingham’s exclusion may raise some eyebrows but the coach believes there is no need to recall the Madrid midfielder.

City’s Foden and on-loan Everton forward Grealish have both excelled at the start of the campaign.

Those who the manager used in England's qualifying victories versus Serbia and Andorra merit the chance to continue.

There will be disappointment that Arsenal's Madueke is not involved because of a fitness issue.

Anderson has looked right at home at international level.

Tuchel is a admirer of Grealish, in particular, as well as Foden.

If there is one surprise, it comes in the exclusion of Palace’s Wharton.

Bellingham, naturally, will be needed in the future.

Dennis Carter
Dennis Carter

Zkušený novinář se zaměřením na mezinárodní události a technologické trendy.