The last two England men’s international fixtures have been concluded to a soundtrack of boos. Friday’s announcement of the squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers may inspire similar outcry from some corners as a group missing several star names has its work cut out to lighten the mood surrounding the Three Lions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the headline absentee. Barely two weeks into his first full season at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool in the summer, the right back has already had his starting position at club level called into question and now finds himself snubbed by Thomas Tuchel.
Alexander-Arnold’s Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka were also overlooked as they recover from injury. Chelsea centre back Levi Colwill is another potential starter forced to watch the action unfold from the treatment room while his club teammate Cole Palmer will also be sidelined, albeit with a less severe complaint.
Tottenham Hotspur right back Djed Spence and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson are among the beneficiaries of these absences as England take on Andorra and Serbia next week.
