Tuchel hands Jobe Bellingham first England call-up as Saka and Foden miss November squad

Thomas Tuchel has handed Jobe Bellingham a first senior England call-up in his squad for November’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer all absent from the selection.

Bellingham, 19, joins his brother Jude in the squad after an impressive start to the season with Borussia Dortmund. Fulham’s Josh King is the other uncapped player included, with Tuchel opting for fresh faces in attacking midfield rather than recalling Chelsea’s Palmer, who has been out of favour with the national team in recent months.

England face Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, 14 November before travelling to the Metropolitano — home of Atlético Madrid — to take on Spain. The two fixtures round off England’s Nations League group-stage campaign.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the squad during the September and October international break, retains his place, as does captain Harry Kane. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool and Morgan Rogers, now at Chelsea, are also included among the forwards.

The absence of Saka and Foden is notable given both are established starters when fit, though Tuchel has not publicly confirmed whether either is carrying an injury.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United)

Defenders: 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: 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: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)