🔗 Share this article

Thomas Tuchel stated that he holds "no issue" with Jack Grealish following the trio were left out the Three Lions team for forthcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia.

The midfielder has not been recalled even after recovering from a shoulder injury, whereas Foden and Grealish also miss out although showing improved form with their respective clubs.

The German manager mentioned that the 22-year-old desired to be included of the selection, after a conversation with him via telephone.

"He is a unique talent, and for exceptional talents there can always be special rules," Tuchel remarked about Bellingham, who's only started once since returning to fitness.

"However we decided to maintain the simple decision of calling up the identical squad.

"Jude consistently merits to be here. There is the factor that he has not quite regained his optimal form yet at his club - he has not completed a full match.

"He wanted to be selected. We conducted a telephone conversation."

Tuchel was keen to emphasize his good rapport with Bellingham after he said sorry to him earlier this year for describing his on-pitch behavior as "repulsive" in a live interview.

Tuchel stated that he uttered those terms "unintentionally" and would be more careful in future.

When asked if he had a problem with Bellingham, he said: "No. There is also no problem with Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.

"Phil is back to impacting and deciding games for Manchester City. Jack is almost to being back to the best version of himself.

"There exists no personal issue."

Saka taking the place of the hurt Madueke is the only change to last month's squad, with Loftus-Cheek and Quansah keeping their spots after being last-minute call-ups last month due to injury.

England play Wales in a non-competitive match at Wembley on this Thursday before a World Cup qualifier in the Latvian capital on October 14.

Should the team win in Latvia, they will need a up to two points from their final two qualifiers - against Albania and Serbia in November - to secure a place in the upcoming World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Strong Performance By Tuchel

The Three Lions produced their finest performance by some distance under Tuchel's leadership when they defeated Serbia 5-0 away in Belgrade last time out.

Tuchel says that performance made it an easy decision to stick with largely the identical group, though "there exist absolutely no guarantees" for any player regarding selection.

"Our previous gathering was just three and a half weeks ago and the teamwork and morale was on the highest level. That is the reason we chose to call up the same group to this session," he commented.

"Foden is in a excellent run of form. Wharton deserves to be with us. Curtis Jones and Chalobah are getting minutes with their clubs.

"There are players who deserve to be here. Cole Palmer is unfit and is a special player. It will consistently remain the case.

"Is our team a stronger side with Jude? Absolutely. But I told you before, what do we do if Jude is unavailable before the World Cup? Do we simply give up?"

The Manager's Press Conference Gets Noticed

Thomas Tuchel once more gave a box office press briefing.

Tuchel, a master of managing his relationship with the media, started with an opening statement to explain his thinking for his decisions.

Bellingham is ready to play and wanted to join to the squad, but Tuchel has said he preferred not to alter the squad too much after a impressive five-goal win over their opponents - where the boss said team spirit was extremely strong.

However with him not including Bellingham, and his repeated remarks about togetherness, it is difficult to avoid link the two - although Tuchel said repeatedly how he is "special" and that there is "no issue" between Tuchel and one of England's key talents.

The England manager has always made it evident that he wanted to make the England squad seem like a club side and, by keeping the same squad after a big victory, he has achieved that. But the questions will come again in the following session if England perform strongly in these upcoming fixtures.