Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for this month’s Nations League double header, with Josh King and Jobe Bellingham both receiving their first senior call-ups, although there is no recall for Chelsea forward Cole Palmer.
King and Bellingham are two of three uncapped players in the squad, alongside Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele. Palmer was originally named in the previous squad in September, but withdrew to manage his fitness.
The Three Lions host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, where they will secure their place in the Nations League Quarter Finals barring what would be a record breaking defeat, before rounding off the campaign with a trip to Spain.
Rewards For Impressive Starts To The Season
Teenage Fulham midfielder King was one of four players who travelled to the United States to train with the senior squad as part of the preparation camp before this summer’s World Cup alongside Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott.
Tuchel said at the time that King was close to being included in the main squad, but now has his chance after impressing for the Cottagers, becoming a regular starter despite his club having a mixed start to the season under Alvaro Arbeloa. Ngumoha is also in this squad, while Scott was called up in September but pulled out through injury.
Jobe Bellingham has also been given a first senior call-up having proved to be a regular for Borussia Dortmund, claiming assists against Stuttgart and Frankfurt. He has started 10 of Dortmund’s 15 games in all competitions, coming on in four.
He could feature alongside older brother Jude, which would make them the first brothers to play for the Three Lions since Trevor and Nathaniel Chalobah featured against Senegal in June 2010.
Palmer Omission Will Raise Questions
The question of whether or not Palmer would be handed a recall was one of the biggest talking points ahead of the announcement, with his availability having been a source of controversy and debate during Tuchel’s time as manager.
He was one of the high profile omissions from the World Cup squad following a season that saw his appearances limited due to managing a groin problem. He then withdrew from the squad for the September and October international window to manage his fitness.
Following this, Tuchel was vocal in expressing his frustration, claiming that Palmer “misses too many opportunities” to represent his country. It was reported by The Evening Standard yesterday that England had checked on Palmer’s fitness ahead of the squad announcement.
He has eight goal involvements in 11 games in all competitions for Chelsea this season, although those numbers are helped by his status as the Blues’ first choice penalty taker. Whether his previous withdrawals are a factor in his omission this time around is something only Tuchel knows.
Historic Wembley Night Awaits
It has already been a year to remember for England and Harry Kane after he captained the side to third place at the World Cup – their best performance at a finals outside of their 1966 triumph.
Last week he then narrowly beat Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon D’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. Against Croatia he is set to make his 126th appearance, which will put him out on his own as the highest capped male player in England’s history, breaking the record held by Peter Shilton.
The striker also signed a new contract at Bayern Munich earlier this week, keeping him at the German giants until 2029. Considering he has already scored 20 goals for club and country this season it would not be a surprise if he finds the back of the net at least once on his big night.
