Thomas Tuohy has once again called up Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer to the England national team as the Three Lions prepare for the next round of UEFA Nations League fixtures. The seasoned Real Madrid right‑back and the dynamic Chelsea attacker were absent from the World Cup squad, but their recent club form has earned them a place in Tuohy’s 27‑man training camp, which will run for three weeks and feature matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic. The selection marks a notable shift in Tuohy’s approach.
Since the World Cup, he has made eight alterations to the roster, swapping out several players who featured in Qatar for fresh faces and recalling a handful of familiar names. Among the newcomers are Liverpool’s 18‑year‑old winger Rio Nguhoma, who impressed during England’s pre‑World Cup friendlies, and Bournemouth’s uncapped midfielder Alex Scott, who earned his first senior call‑up.
Everton centre‑back Jarrad Branthwaite also returns after missing the previous tournament, while Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and Myles Lewis‑Skelly are reinstated after brief absences. Conversely, some high‑profile names have been left out. Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs‑White and Adam Wharton are omitted once more, and World Cup regulars Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke have not been retained. Injuries also keep a number of players on the sidelines, including Reece James, John Stones, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Ben White and Dean Henderson.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, although an unused squad member at the World Cup, has been included in the current list. The full squad breakdown is as follows: Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United). Defenders: Trent Alexander‑Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis‑Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth). Forwards: Dominic Calvert‑Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Nguhoma (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). When asked about the return of Alexander‑Arnold and Palmer, Tuohy explained that both players had started the season strongly and that there was no disciplinary reason for their exclusion from the World Cup squad – simply a tactical decision at the time. “Cole has regained his scoring touch and his assist numbers are back up,” Tuohy said.
“Trent never lost his quality; this is his chance to prove himself again, this time as a right‑back in our system. He knows the competition is fierce, and he has to earn his place.” Analysts have weighed in on the changes. Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol noted that Tuohy appears to be learning from the missteps of the summer, having overhauled a sizable portion of his roster.
He described the new group as “more balanced” and suggested that the manager still has work to do to regain the trust of fans who were disappointed by England’s performance against Argentina at the World Cup. Peter Smith of Sky Sports highlighted the significance of Alexander‑Arnold’s inclusion. The English right‑back, now plying his trade at Real Madrid, had been publicly dismissed by Tuohy before the tournament as not fitting his preferred profile for the position. Smith pointed out that Alexander‑Arnold’s recent performances – including an assist in five La Liga appearances and a notable midfield cameo in the Champions League win over Inter Milan – have forced a reassessment.
Even Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid’s manager, praised Alexander‑Arnold’s work ethic when he was deployed in central midfield due to injuries, though he also noted the player’s occasional loss of possession and the physical demands of that role. Defensively, Alexander‑Arnold now faces competition from summer signing Denzel Dumfries, while his former rival Dani Carvajal has also been vying for the same spot.
The debate over whether his attacking flair outweighs defensive vulnerabilities continues, and Tuohy’s ultimate plan for the player could shape England’s tactical approach throughout the Nations League window. The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: Spain (home) on Saturday 26 September at 19:45, the Czech Republic (away) on Tuesday 29 September at 19:45, Croatia (away) on Saturday 3 October at 17:00, and a second match against the Czech Republic (home) on Tuesday 6 October at 19:45. These games will provide a platform for the recalled players and the new call‑ups to stake their claim for a permanent place in the senior squad. Fan reactions on social media reflect a mixture of optimism and skepticism.
Some supporters, like user Lincpoacher, argue that Alexander‑Arnold’s long‑range passing is exactly what England has missed, while others, such as Micky045, contend that the current selection resembles the ideal World Cup roster that was overlooked previously. Concerns remain about the defensive solidity of the back line, especially with several regulars injured, and many are eager to see how younger talents like Rio Nguhoma and Alex Scott will be integrated. Overall, Tuohy’s revised squad signals a willingness to adapt and experiment after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
By bringing back in‑form players like Alexander‑Arnold and Palmer, and by injecting fresh blood from the Premier League and abroad, England hopes to rediscover the attacking verve and defensive resilience required to compete at the highest level in Europe’s elite competition.