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Friday, October 9, 2026
Journey Through Words

England Bring Back Bukayo Saka While Jude Bellingham, Foden & Jack Grealish Are Left Out

Bukayo Saka in action

Bukayo Saka has netted 12 goals in 44 games for the national team.

The national side have called up the Arsenal winger for next week's fixtures versus Latvia and Wales, however no room for Bellingham, Foden or Jack Grealish.

Gunners attacker Bukayo Saka missed the previous World Cup qualifying wins against Serbia and Andorra with a hamstring issue.

The 24-year-old recently returned for Arsenal and scored in their victory against the Greek side midweek.

Saka replaces club colleague Noni Madueke, who is sidelined until November with a knee injury.

England meet the Welsh in a warm-up match at Wembley on Thursday before a World Cup qualifier in Riga on 14 October.

Should England triumph against Latvia, they will need a maximum of two more points from their last two matches versus Serbia and Albania in November to reach next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah comes in for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, who is sidelined for two months after sustaining a knee injury versus Arsenal last weekend.

Anderson and Djed Spence, who earned their maiden national team selections last month, retain their places. Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, despite the recovery of Wharton.

Saka has only played a single match for Tuchel since taking over as England manager, because of fitness and hamstring injuries.

Bellingham was absent from the last England international camp as he recovered from a shoulder operation and has only made a single start for Real Madrid since returning from injury.

The Manchester City player was left out from Tuchel's last England squad after a loss of form and has been unsuccessful in returning, despite a impressive beginning to the season with City.

The forward also misses out in spite of a revival in form on loan at Everton. He has not featured for the national team since October 2024.

Full England Selection

Keepers: Henderson (Palace), Jordan Pickford (the Toffees), James Trafford (City)

Backline: Burn (Newcastle), Guehi (Palace), Reece James (the Blues), Konsa (Villa), Lewis-Skelly (the Gunners), Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Anderson (Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest), Jordan Henderson (the Bees), Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Rice (the Gunners), Rogers (Villa)

Attackers: Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Watkins (Aston Villa)

'Attention turns to excluded players'

The manager’s latest England squad draws attention on those the boss has omitted instead of the players he has selected.

Jude Bellingham's exclusion may raise some eyebrows but the coach believes there is no need to recall the Real Madrid star.

Manchester City's Phil Foden and on-loan Everton forward Jack Grealish have both performed well at the start of the season.

Those who Tuchel utilised in the team’s qualifying victories versus Andorra and Serbia merit the reward of continuity.

There will be disappointment that Arsenal's Madueke is not involved due to injury.

Anderson has looked right at home at international level.

Tuchel is a fan of Grealish, in particular, and also Foden.

One unexpected move, it comes in the absence of Palace’s Wharton.

The star, of course, will be required in the future.

By

Nathan Webb

A passionate digital marketer and content creator with over 8 years of experience in blogging and SEO optimization.

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