England Bring Back Saka But Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden & Jack Grealish Are Omitted
The Arsenal forward has scored a dozen goals in 44 appearances for England.
England have called up Bukayo Saka for next week's matches against Wales and Latvia, however no room for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.
Gunners attacker Saka missed the previous qualifier wins against Serbia and Andorra with a muscle problem.
The 24-year-old made a comeback for his club and scored in their 2-0 win over Olympiacos midweek.
Saka replaces club colleague Noni Madueke, who is out of action until November because of a knee injury.
The Three Lions meet the Welsh in a friendly at Wembley this week before a qualifying match in Latvia on October 14.
If England win against Latvia, they will need a just two points from their final two matches versus Albania and Serbia in November to reach next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah comes in for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, who is out for up to eight weeks following suffering a knee issue against the Gunners recently.
Anderson and Spence, who received their maiden national team selections previously, retain their places. Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, even with the recovery of Wharton.
The attacker has only played a single match for the manager since taking over as national team boss, due to injury concerns.
Bellingham was absent from the last England international camp as he was rehabilitating after a shoulder operation and has managed just a single start for his club since returning to fitness.
The Manchester City player was omitted from the coach’s previous selection following a loss of form and has been unsuccessful in returning, despite a impressive beginning to the campaign with City.
Grealish also is excluded despite a revival in form on loan at Everton. He has not featured for England since October 2024.
Full Three Lions Squad
Keepers: Henderson (Crystal Palace), Pickford (Everton), Trafford (City)
Defenders: Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (the Blues), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Stones (Manchester City)
Midfield: Elliot Anderson (Forest), Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (the Bees), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Rice (Arsenal), Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Villa)
'Scrutiny on those left out rather than included'
Thomas Tuchel's new selection brings scrutiny to the players the boss has omitted rather than the included names.
Jude Bellingham's exclusion may cause surprise but Tuchel understandably feels there is no need to recall the Real Madrid star.
City’s Foden and loanee Grealish have both performed well in the early stages of the season.
The players the manager used in the team’s qualifying victories versus Serbia and Andorra merit the chance to continue.
There will be regret that the Gunners’ Madueke is not involved because of injury.
The Forest player has looked right at home at international level.
Tuchel is a fan of Grealish, especially, as well as the City star.
One unexpected move, it comes in the absence of Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton.
The star, naturally, will be required further down the line.
