Thomas Tuchel named his final England squad of the year on Friday morning.
As is to be expected, his selections raised plenty of talking points across social media. ‘Why is this player still in?’ ‘Why did this player miss out?’ ‘Picked on form? Come off it’.
In this article, we’ll cover:
With that, we run through five from Tuchel’s latest Three Lions selection.
Your #ThreeLions squad for the last time this year! ?
— England (@England) November 7, 2025
Trafford out, Pope in
James Trafford’s heart must have sank when Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. Trafford hasn’t made a league appearance since the Italian joined from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day. Indeed, the months since, the 23-year-old has featured just twice, both outings of which came in the Carabao Cup.
As such, Tuchel’s decision to overlook Trafford for Newcastle United shotstopper Nick Pope shouldn’t come as a shock. The Magpies initially viewed the former as a replacement for the latter. It’s Pope, though, who looks to have pipped Trafford to the third goalkeeper spot. In a World Cup year, this is key.
It’s hardly undeserved, either. Only David Raya (7) has kept more clean sheets than Pope (5) in the Premier League this season. Pope’s 3.3 saves per 90 minutes also ranks fourth among those with at least half the minutes played. Trafford may be the future for England, but at present; he’s rightly behind Pope in the pecking order.
O’Reilly ahead of MLS at left-back?
Myles Lewis-Skelly ended the 2024-25 Premier League season strongly. So much so that the 19-year-old was widely expected to push on and consolidate the starting left-back spot for England. In the months since, however, the teenager has struggled for game time.
Riccardo Calafiori is now first choice left-back for Arsenal, with Lewis-Skelly reduced to cup appearances. The latter has registered just 87 minutes of Premier League action this season. And he’s since dropped down the pecking order for the Three Lions. One of those seemingly ahead of Lewis-Skelly is Nico O’Reilly.
O’Reilly made the England squad last month as cover for the injured Reece James. The 20-year-old showed glimpses of his quality at left-back last season. He’s now nailed down the spot for Man City. And meetings with Serbia and Albania present the youngster with the perfect chance to do so for England, and at Lewis-Skelly’s expense.
Scott rewarded for fine Bournemouth form
Bournemouth fell to a 3-1 loss at Man City last weekend. The result, though, shouldn’t mask what has been a fine start to the season. And the heartbeat of this Bournemouth side is youngster Alex Scott. The 22-year-old was hampered by injuries last season, and restricted to just eight league starts as a result.
However, he’s consolidated his place in the Bournemouth starting XI, starting nine of 10 matches. The former Bristol man is incredibly press-resistant, evident in that he’s been dispossessed just 0.7 times per 90 this season. On the international stage, this is key, especially as England look to dominate.
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Earning regular minutes for the Three Lions will be easier said than done for Scott. Competition for the role of Declan Rice’s midfield partner is rife. Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton have both been included in the England squad for the November international. On current form, though, Scott deserves his first call up.
Foden and Bellingham are back
Having both been overlooked last month, both Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are back in the England squad. The former has been quietly going about his business for Man City this season. While Foden has previously struggled to translate his club form for country, club showings suggests he warrants a return to the national team.
Bellingham, too, has looked imperious in a Real Madrid shirt following a return to fitness. Granted, he couldn’t help Los Blancos to victory at Liverpool in midweek. That said, the 22-year-old has come in clutch recently, scoring decisive goals in wins over Juventus and Barcelona.
On their day, the duo are world class stars and their respective returns to form is a boost for England. There is nothing riding on meetings with Serbia and Albania but Foden and Bellingham will use the games as a chance to force their way back into Tuchel’s long-term plans.
No room for in-form Welbz
Tuchel’s decision to overlook Ollie Watkins should have paved the way for Danny Welbeck’s return. Dat Guy has been, well, Dat Guy for Brighton in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last five league outings. Only Erling Haaland (13) has scored more Premier League goals than Welbeck this season.
Many expected the 34-year-old to return to the national team setup, and make his first England appearance since 2018. That had been the report in the days leading up to the squad announcement. Tuchel had other ideas as he opted for just one out-and-out frontman in the form of Harry Kane.
It’s harsh on Welbeck, whose form at club level perhaps warranted a look in. Conversely, Welbeck does turn 35 this month. With one eye on the World Cup, Tuchel perhaps felt it fair to use players who have a better chance of jetting stateside next summer.