Tuchel’s bold England squad: Rashford returns, Alexander-Arnold dropped

England coach Thomas Tuchel has left out Trent Alexander-Arnold from his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, joined Real Madrid from Liverpool during the summer and was part of Tuchel’s last squad. However, he did not make the new list after recently being left out of Madrid’s 3-0 win at Real Oviedo.

In his place, Tuchel has called up two uncapped players — Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham full-back Djed Spence. Everton winger Jack Grealish was also left out despite impressing last weekend against Brighton.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and midfielder Adam Wharton return to the team, while 35-year-old Jordan Henderson remains in the squad alongside Morgan Gibbs-White.

There was no place for veteran defender Kyle Walker or Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney. Tino Livramento earned his first call-up since Tuchel took over.

England will also be without injured players Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill.

The Three Lions face Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, September 6. It will be England’s first senior game at Aston Villa’s ground since 2005. They will then play Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday, September 9.

England currently lead Group K with three wins out of three but lost their last game 3-1 in a friendly against Senegal in June.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice
Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins