Thomas Tuchel has named a 27-man England squad for the upcoming Nations League camp, recalling Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold among eight changes from the group that lost to Argentina in the semi-finals before finishing third at this summer's World Cup.
Palmer returns having been left out of the World Cup squad entirely, while Alexander-Arnold is back for the first time since a qualifying win in Andorra 15 months ago. There are also returns for Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Myles Lewis-Skelly, alongside a first call-up under Tuchel for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. Liverpool's 18-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, who made his senior debut in a pre-World Cup warm-up against New Zealand, is included, as is uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
Palmer's form has been the primary driver of his recall. The Chelsea midfielder has registered four goals and two assists across six games this season, with his link-up alongside Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro drawing considerable attention. "He's a regular starter," Tuchel said. "He decides matches, he has his numbers back. Everyone up front at least starts regularly for their clubs or produces minutes and is in good shape."
Alexander-Arnold's inclusion is the more striking selection given Tuchel's previously stated reluctance to pick the Real Madrid defender. He was passed over even when Livramento suffered a pre-World Cup injury and a replacement place was available. That stance has now shifted, with Tuchel saying Alexander-Arnold was never non-selectable and that he arrives in camp as a right-back. In August, Alexander-Arnold had told the Mirror that until he retired he remained an England player whether selected or not, and that there was no bigger honour than representing his country.
Kobbie Mainoo's inclusion carries a pointed admission from the head coach. The Manchester United midfielder did not play a single minute at the World Cup despite being part of the squad. Tuchel took full responsibility, saying he expected Mainoo to be on the pitch and that it was his duty to make that happen. He added that Mainoo had not put a foot wrong during the tournament, had been exemplary in training, and that greater trust had been placed in others — among them Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Reece James, who was deployed in central midfield. "It was difficult for him. It was on me," Tuchel said.
Ben White and Reece James both miss out through injury. Tuchel confirmed White had been pencilled in before withdrawing, noting he had enjoyed a fantastic start to the season at Arsenal. James sat out Chelsea training ahead of their fixture against Brentford. In their absence, Tino Livramento and Alexander-Arnold are Tuchel's main right-back options.
Phil Foden is again overlooked, along with Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton. Gibbs-White, the top scorer among English players in the Premier League last season, faces strong competition at the No 10 position, with Bellingham, Palmer and Eberechi Eze all preferred. Tuchel said it made no sense to select more than three players in that role. Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke all drop out from the World Cup squad.
Fulham youngster Josh King, who was part of the pre-World Cup training camp, was described by Tuchel as very close to inclusion but will remain with the Under-21s. The 19-year-old has scored twice in the league this season.
England's four Nations League fixtures begin against world champions Spain on 26 September, followed by Czechia on 29 September, Croatia on 3 October and Czechia again on 6 October.
Reporting: BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Sun, Metro, Football.London, Daily Mail, ESPN, Evening Standard, CaughtOffside, FourFourTwo, GiveMeSport, talkSPORT, Daily Star.