Thomas Tuchel recalls Cole Palmer and Alexander-Arnold as NINE players from World Cup miss out including Arsenal ace

COLE PALMER and Trent Alexander-Arnold have returned to the England set-up as Thomas Tuchel named his first squad since their World Cup heartache. The Chelsea and Real Madrid stars both missed out on the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Cole Palmer has returned to the England squad after missing the World Cup Credit: Getty Trent Alexander-Arnold is also back in the Three Lions set-up Credit: Getty Thomas Tuchel has named his squad for games against Spain, Croatia and Czechia Credit: PA Palmer was snubbed after a mixed season with Chelsea in 2025-26. But he has gained the backing of Tuchel after a strong start to the current campaign under Xabi Alonso. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Palmer has four goals and two assists in all competitions and will have a chance to impress alongside Chelsea team-mate and pal Morgan Rogers. Alexander-Arnold was also a surprise omission from the World Cup squad despite lacking options at right-back. This season he has three starts under Jose Mourinho at Madrid. He has played a total of 310 minutes and has registered one assist so far. Both will go straight into a new-look group preparing for Nations League games against Spain, Croatia and Czechia. Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha, 18, and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 23, have also been selected after helping England with their World Cup preparations. Ngumoha has already made three appearances for the Reds under boss Andoni Iraola and has looked lively. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha has also made the cut Credit: Getty Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will be part of Tuchel’s group Credit: Getty And Scott has started all five of Bournemouth’s games so far, scoring once and also assisting in their 2-1 Europa League win over Real Sociedad. Other new faces in the squad are Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. A handful of Tuchel’s World Cup stars weren’t available for this international break, including John Stones, who picked up an thigh injury for Inter Milan. And his club team-mate Djed Spence also wasn’t picked as he is yet to play a game for Inter so far due to fitness issues. The same is true for Newcastle centre-back Dan Burn, while Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins – who both play in the Saudi Pro League – are out. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson wasn’t available for selection either after suffering an ankle blow. Replacing him is Brighton shot-stopper Jason Steele. Reece James was missing from the squad announcement too in a surprise call. There is also no place for Jordan Henderson – now at Chelsea – after he was controversially named in the World Cup squad. Newcastle defender Lewis Hall has earned himself another call-up Credit: Reuters Noni Madueke is out amid his lack of minutes for Arsenal Credit: Reuters Reece James has not been picked by Tuchel either Credit: Getty Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo keeps his place in the team, as does Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze despite only playing 68 minutes in the Premier League so far. But Eze’s club team-mate Noni Madueke does miss out after also failing to start a game for the Gunners in the Prem this season. Harry Maguire continues to be snubbed by Tuchel after claiming he was “shocked and gutted” to miss the World Cup – and there is no Phil Foden either. Tuchel hinted he would refresh his squad with some young faces this week during an interview with ex-Three Lions star Daniel Sturridge. He said: “I’m excited to have new young players that we can bring into camp and they can learn. “These players will come back hungry, starting with a match against the reigning world champions. “We just beat France, we have the chance to beat Spain straight away at home. Perfect start. Perfect rehearsal for us for the Euros. “That is something to build on. We have all the right to hold our heads high and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges.” 2 comments2