Thomas Tuchel explains decision to snub Arsenal star in latest England squad

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has explained his decision to omit Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly from his latest England squad.

Tuchel announced his squad on Friday before his team face Serbia on November 13 and Albania on November 16.

There was no spot for Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly, with Tuchel admitting that the defender was ‘outperformed’ by Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly.

Lewis-Skelly has not started a single Premier League game for Arsenal this term with Mikel Arteta deploying Riccardo Calafiori as his main left-back.

‘Myles [Lewis-Skelly] was a good teammate and played for us in the last camp, so was [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek, [Morgan] Gibbs-White and [James] Trafford,’ Tuchel said on Friday.

‘It is about competition and performance. The door is always open for guys who perform on a regular and high level.

‘Myles, Ruben and Morgan got outperformed by Nico [O’Reilly], Alex Scott, Nick Pope and Jude [Bellingham].

‘Myles simply needs more starts and more minutes. We selected him last camp despite his position at Arsenal.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has defended Lewis-Skelly after his England snub and says he’ll offer his support to the ‘remarkable’ player.

‘We are here to support and help each other and to give a good perspective of the situation,’ Arteta explained. ‘In the case of Myles, when you look at his age, what he’s already done, he’s just remarkable.

‘So don’t look at the one moment what is happening for you because maybe it happens for the right reason and today you cannot see it.’

Tuchel recalls Bellingham and Foden

Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham is back for England after being dropped for the October camp.

Bellingham had recently returned from shoulder surgery – and Tuchel wanted to reward other players who shined when he was unavailable.

It was somewhat of a controversial decision given Bellingham’s status as one of England’s best players.

The noise around Bellingham’s absence was heightened as it came on the back of Tuchel having to apologise for describing the player’s on-field behaviour as ‘repulsive’, insisting he used the word ‘unintentionally’.

But he’s now back with the Three Lions and the same is true for City’s Phil Foden as Tuchel told reporters: ‘We are delighted they are back.

‘The contribution of both of them to their clubs lately was immense. They score regularly decisive goals. We’re delighted they’re in shape, in form and back with us.

‘Jude comes back in the No10 position. I think that’s his best position. One of his key strengths is to score from this position, he scores goals a No9 could score – tap-ins in the six-yard box.

‘They seem easy goals but to arrive in this position at the right moment is a key strength. We will try to find space for him as a No10 to arrive in the No9 positions to score for us.

‘Phil, where he played against Dortmund, is where I see him. Close to the opponents box, a mix between a No9 and No10. Phil scores from the 18-yard box, he’s on the half-turn then assists, he’s in the pockets.

‘The main thing for Phil is he gets a role in the central part of the pitch. I don’t see him as a winger. A central role brings out his strengths the most. He will contribute as a 9.5 10.5, very fluid.’

Welbeck left out despite return rumours

There had been rumours of Danny Welbeck making a stunning England return but he didn’t make the squad despite his impressive recent form.

The 34-year-old Brighton striker, who used to play for Manchester United and Arsenal, has not played for the Three Lions since the 2018 World Cup.

Welbeck has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games for the Seagulls but won’t feature for England against Serbia or Albania.

Scott and Wharton named in England squad

Elsewhere, AFC Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has received his first England call-up while Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton returns to the squad after missing out in the last international break.

‘Two different profiles,’ Tuchel said about his decision to pick Wharton and Scott. ‘Adam, we tried for the third time to call him up! I hope he stays fit and is able to come. One was concussion and the next was groin problems holding him back.

‘Elliot did very well for us but he suffers a bit, he plays through pain and discomfort. Nothing major but we are aware of that.

‘We added Adam to the team because he deserves [the call] but also we need to learn baout him and what he can bring to our squad. We prepare ourselves if Elliot is not able to play 90 minutes.

‘Don’t forget Jordan Henderson please. Both did very well.

‘Alex deserves to be with us. I first closely saw him in the Euros with the U21s, he did excellently with Elliot in midfield and since then he has stepped up and is a regular starter for Bournemouth who are overperforming in the league.

‘He performed his way into this nomination and will come in as a No 8.’

Jack Grealish, on loan at Everton from City, and Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold have missed out on selection again.

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