🔗 Share this article

Thomas Tuchel has chosen to retain the same England squad that triumphed against Andorra and delivered an impressive performance in Serbia last month, leaving no room for the Real Madrid star and Phil Foden in his group for the forthcoming friendly against Wales and the qualifying match in Latvia.

Although Phil Foden making a strong case for a return to the squad after rediscovering his form at Manchester City, and Jude Bellingham having returned for Real Madrid following a surgical procedure, the head coach has decided against selecting two of the country's most prominent offensive stars. The young midfielder has been in the starting lineup just a single time for his team since his comeback.

The England boss has made room for Bukayo Saka, who is fully recovered and has been reinstated in place of his unavailable Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke. Jack Grealish has not been handed a return to the squad.

Complete Three Lions Squad Announcement

Goalkeepers

• Crystal Palace's keeper (his club)
• Jordan Pickford (the Toffees)
• Manchester City's goalkeeper (the Citizens)

Backline

• Newcastle's defender (the Magpies)
• Crystal Palace's centre-back (the Eagles)
• Chelsea's full-back (the Blues)
• Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
• Jarell Quansah (the German club)
• Tottenham's defender (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Manchester City's star (the Sky Blues)

Midfielders

• Nottingham Forest's midfielder (Nottingham Forest)
• Morgan Gibbs-White (the Reds)
• Brentford's experienced head (the Bees)
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan)
• Arsenal's anchor (Arsenal)
• Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards

• Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
• Arsenal's attacker (Arsenal)
• Newcastle's winger (the Geordies)
• Harry Kane (the German giants)
• Marcus Rashford (the Catalan club, loan from Manchester United)
• Arsenal's star (Arsenal)
• Aston Villa's forward (Villa)

The national team coach expressed his admiration for the energy in last month's squad and seems intent on maintaining the vibe. The Newcastle defender, who started at left-back in the 5-0 win in Serbia, has dropped out due to a knock. The manager has opted against selecting a direct replacement for the Newcastle player but has included the Manchester City defender, who had to pull out previously. Tuchel has discussed the centre-back's significance for the national team and has suggested using him in midfield.

There is no place for the midfielder, who was called up in the previous squad but pulled out injured and was substituted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Tuchel said: “It was only three weeks after the last camp and the last win, the last performance, so the consideration was why not bring the identical squad in because they established a benchmark. Now it is about creating habits out of it. We have unfortunately a couple of fitness issues at the moment with Livramento and Noni and we bring of course the Arsenal forward in to take the place of Madueke. The defender was a last-minute addition previously; he will stay in camp.”