Alex Scott is rewarded for his start to the season with Bournemouth, but there is no place for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish or Myles Lewis-Skelly
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden return to the England fold, while there has been a shock call-up for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott in Thomas Tuchel’s final squad of 2025.
Midfielder Scott “impressed Tuchel with his displays” for both Bournemouth this season and for playing a key role in England’s U21 Euro triumph during the summer, the statement said.
Tuchel’s Bellingham omission meanwhile had been the headline call last month, with the German insisting he had no problem with the Real Madrid midfielder – citing the player’s recent return from injury.
Bellingham has since been a key fixture of the Real side, scoring and assisting against fierce rivals Barcelona in late October, as well as netting the winner against Juventus in the Champions League and on target once more against Valencia last weekend.
Jude Bellingham is back for England (Photo: Getty)
Foden’s return to form also put him in contention. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola declared him “back” after his two goals in the midweek win over Borussia Dortmund.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish and Myles Lewis-Skelly all miss out.
England play their final two World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania in the upcoming break, having already qualified for the tournament last month.
**No back-up No 9?** With captain Harry Kane a sure-fire starter, his role of back-up can often be a thankless task. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck had been in line for a recall, but he misses out along with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Tuchel, it appears, is content with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon being able to fill-in at No 9 should they be required.
Rashford has scored six goals and recorded seven assists on loan at Barcelona this season.
**No Lewis-Skelly:** Tuchel had warned game-time would be a factor and with Arsenal left-back Lewis-Skelly currently behind Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, it has cost the 19-year-old a place in the England squad.
Lewis-Skelly has played just 42 minutes of Premier League football since the start of September, and is yet to start in the league. He has started twice in the Champions League.
**Midfield reshuffle:** A return for Foden and Adam Wharton proves how much spaces are at a premium ahead of next year’s World Cup. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has played his way into a starting role under Tuchel but his teammate Morgan Gibbs-White has been overlooked, likewise Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
**Goalkeepers:** Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
**Defenders:** Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
**Midfielders:** Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
**Forwards:** Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
_More to follow._