The Three Lions Bring Back Bukayo Saka While Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden & Grealish Are Omitted
Bukayo Saka has scored a dozen goals in 44 games for England.
England have included the Arsenal winger for next week's fixtures against Wales and Latvia, however no room for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Grealish.
Gunners attacker Saka missed last month's World Cup qualifying wins over Andorra and Serbia due to a hamstring issue.
The 24-year-old made a comeback for Arsenal and scored in their victory against the Greek side midweek.
Saka comes in for club colleague Noni Madueke, who is out of action till next month with a knee problem.
The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly at the national stadium on Thursday before a qualifying match in Riga on October 14.
If England win in Latvia, they will require a maximum of two points from their final two matches against Albania and Serbia in November to qualify for next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah comes in for Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who is sidelined for two months following suffering a knee injury against Arsenal recently.
Anderson and Spence, who received their maiden national team selections previously, keep their spots. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also keeps his spot, despite the recovery of Wharton.
Saka has only played a single match for the manager since he became national team boss, because of injury concerns.
The midfielder was absent from the last England international camp as he recovered from a shoulder operation and has managed just a single start for Real Madrid after coming back from injury.
Foden was omitted from the coach’s previous selection after a dip in performance and has been unsuccessful in returning, even with a strong start to the campaign with City.
Grealish also is excluded in spite of a revival in form with Everton. The 30-year-old has not featured for the national team since October 2024.
Complete England Squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Guehi (Palace), Reece James (the Blues), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Spurs), Stones (Manchester City)
Midfield: Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (the Bees), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Rice (Arsenal), Rogers (Villa)
Attackers: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Kane (Bayern), Rashford (Barcelona), Saka (Arsenal), Watkins (Villa)
'Attention turns to excluded players'
The manager’s latest England squad brings scrutiny on those the head coach has omitted instead of the included names.
Jude Bellingham's omission may cause surprise but Tuchel believes there is no need to bring back the Real Madrid star.
City’s Phil Foden and loanee Jack Grealish have both performed well at the start of the season.
Those who Tuchel utilised in the team’s World Cup qualifier wins versus Serbia and Andorra merit the reward of continuity.
There will be regret that the Gunners’ Noni Madueke is not included due to a fitness issue.
The Forest player has settled well at international level.
Tuchel is a fan of the attacker, especially, as well as Foden.
If there is one surprise, it comes in the exclusion of Palace’s Wharton.
Bellingham, naturally, will be required further down the line.