The Three Lions Recall Saka But Jude Bellingham, Foden & Jack Grealish Are Omitted
Bukayo Saka has scored a dozen goals in 44 games for England.
The national side have called up Bukayo Saka for upcoming matches versus Wales and Latvia, yet there's no spot for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Grealish.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka missed last month's qualifier successes over Andorra and Serbia with a muscle problem.
Saka made a comeback for Arsenal and found the net in their victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday.
The England international replaces club colleague Madueke, who is sidelined till next month because of a knee injury.
The Three Lions face the Welsh in a warm-up match at Wembley on Thursday prior to a qualifying match in Latvia on 14 October.
Should England triumph in Latvia, they will need a just two points from their last two qualifiers versus Albania and Serbia in November to reach next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah replaces Newcastle United’s Livramento, who is sidelined for two months following sustaining a knee issue versus Arsenal recently.
Elliot Anderson and Spence, who received their first England call-ups previously, keep their spots. Loftus-Cheek also keeps his spot, despite the return to fitness of Adam Wharton.
Saka has only played one game for the manager since taking over as national team boss, because of fitness and hamstring injuries.
Bellingham was absent from the last England international camp as he recovered from shoulder surgery and has only made a single start for his club since returning from injury.
Foden was omitted from the coach’s previous selection after a loss of form and has been unable to force his way back, even with a strong start to the campaign with Manchester City.
The forward also misses out in spite of a resurgence on loan at Everton. He has not featured for England since October 2024.
Complete Three Lions Selection
Keepers: Henderson (Palace), Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Guehi (Palace), James (Chelsea), Konsa (Villa), Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Spurs), Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest), Henderson (the Bees), Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Rice (the Gunners), Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barca), Saka (the Gunners), Ollie Watkins (Villa)
'Focus on omissions over inclusions'
The manager’s new selection brings scrutiny on those the head coach has left out rather than the players he has selected.
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 campaign.
Those who Tuchel utilised in England's qualifying victories versus Andorra and Serbia deserve the reward of continuity.
It will bring disappointment that Arsenal's Noni Madueke is not involved due to a fitness issue.
Anderson has settled well at England senior level.
The England boss is a admirer of the attacker, especially, and also the City star.
If there is one surprise, it is the absence of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
The star, of course, will be required in the future.
