Now Reading: Tuchel Names England Squad: Palmer Misses Out, Bellingham Brothers Unite
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Tuchel Names England Squad: Palmer Misses Out, Bellingham Brothers Unite
Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the final Nations League matches of the year, and the headlines are hard to ignore. Cole Palmer is absent again, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden miss out, and two uncapped youngsters get the call. Here is everything you need to know.
England’s November Nations League Fixtures
England play twice this month as they wrap up their UEFA Nations League campaign. Both games are against major opposition and both come at iconic venues.
The Three Lions first host Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, 12 November. They then travel to Madrid to face Spain at the Metropolitano, home of Atletico Madrid.
| Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia | Wembley Stadium | Thursday, 12 November |
| Spain | Metropolitano, Madrid | November (after the Croatia match) |
The Big Talking Points: Palmer, Saka and Foden
The most prominent talking point is the continued absence of Cole Palmer. The Chelsea talisman is left out once more, and the debate over his England future shows no sign of fading.
There is also no place for Bukayo Saka or Phil Foden in Tuchel’s latest selection. Two attacking names that supporters have come to expect on the team sheet will be watching from afar.
It is a bold set of decisions, and it shows a manager willing to reshape his group as the campaign closes.
Two Uncapped Youngsters Get the Nod
In place of Palmer, Tuchel has turned to a pair of uncapped players: Fulham’s Josh King and Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham.
Jobe is the brother of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who is also in the squad. That sets up the prospect of the siblings sharing an England camp.
For both newcomers, this is a chance to make a first impression on the international stage against elite opposition.
England Squad in Full
Here is the complete 25-man group named by Tuchel for the November matches.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers (3) | Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United) |
| Defenders (8) | Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Inter Milan), Ben White (Arsenal) |
| Midfielders (8) | Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), James Garner (Everton), Josh King (Fulham), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Declan Rice (Arsenal) |
| Forwards (6) | Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) |
Alexander-Arnold Stays in the Fold
While the September and October international break saw the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, he remains part of the plans this time too. The Real Madrid defender is one of eight options at the back.
Arsenal are well represented, with Ezri Konsa, Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice all included.
Attack Led by Kane, With Fresh Faces Behind
Harry Kane leads the forward line from Bayern Munich. He is joined by Anthony Gordon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Morgan Gibbs-White, Morgan Rogers and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha.
With Saka, Foden and Palmer all missing, the balance of the attack looks different. Tuchel appears keen to test alternatives and reward current form.
What to Watch in Both Games
Croatia at Wembley will be a first look at how this reshaped group fits together. Then comes the sterner test in Madrid against Spain, a fixture that will show how far the squad has progressed.
Keep an eye on whether Josh King or Jobe Bellingham earns minutes. A debut in front of a Wembley crowd would be a landmark moment for either player.
One thing is certain: the selection has sparked debate, and the matches will show whether Tuchel’s calls pay off.
