England manager Thomas Tuchel has left Chelsea forward Cole Palmer out of his 25-man squad for the country’s final two UEFA Nations League group-stage matches against Croatia and Spain.

Palmer’s omission is one of the major talking points from the squad announced on Friday, November 6, as Tuchel also left out Manchester City forward Phil Foden and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

However, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Fulham’s teenage midfielder Josh King have received their first senior England call-ups, blueprint reports.

Jobe joins his elder brother, Jude Bellingham, in the squad, while King earns his invitation following his performances for Fulham.

Palmer, who missed the previous international camp after withdrawing with a fitness problem, has returned to action for Chelsea and featured in the club’s Premier League matches this season.

Tuchel had previously expressed concerns about Palmer’s repeated absences from England camps, saying the midfielder needed to be available consistently to establish himself in the national team.

Explaining his latest selection, the England manager said he wanted to retain the group that performed well during the previous camp, stressing that players who had contributed positively deserved the opportunity to remain in the squad.

The decision means Palmer will have to wait for another opportunity to return to the England setup.

New faces and returning players

Jobe Bellingham’s inclusion represents a significant milestone in his international career, having progressed through England’s youth teams before earning his first senior invitation.

King, 19, has also been rewarded with a place in the senior squad after impressing at Fulham.

Arsenal defender Ben White returns to the team, while Djed Spence and Declan Rice are also back after missing the previous camp through injury.

Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha is another notable inclusion in the attacking department.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford.

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White.

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jobe Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, James Garner, Josh King, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Rio Ngumoha, Morgan Rogers.

England face Croatia, Spain

England will host Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Madrid to face Spain on Sunday, November 15.

The matches are the Three Lions’ final two fixtures in the Nations League group stage.

England currently occupy second position in their group and need to avoid defeat against Croatia to secure qualification for next year’s quarter-finals.

Tuchel will be hoping his selected players can deliver the required results as England seek to finish the group campaign strongly.