Gareth Southgate has rewarded Bukayo Saka, Harvey Barnes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for their eye-catching early season form by calling them up to the England squad for the first time.
As expected, the England manager has recalled Harry Maguire after standing him down from the previous squad following the defender’s criminal trial in Greece and he has not selected Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood. The latter pair were sent home from Iceland in September after inviting women into the team hotel – in breach of squad and Covid-19 regulations.
Southgate has named a 30-strong party for the friendly against Wales next Thursday and the Nations League tie against Belgium and Denmark that follow, knowing that he will have to rotate his personnel.
Southgate has recalled Ben Chilwell, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford after they missed the previous get-together because of injury but there are no places for the fit-again Luke Shaw and James Maddison. Kyle Walker is in, having been sweating over his inclusion after his red card in the 1-0 win in Iceland.
Quick Guide
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Kieran Trippier (Atlético Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Harvey Barnes (Leicester City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Danny Ings (Southampton), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Southgate said: “I think with pretty much all of the squad we have not just looked at what they did last season but an emphasis on the beginning of this season as well. Dominic is a player we’ve liked for a long time. What he has added over the last 18 months are goals. Of course for a striker they are critical. He is in a really rich vein of form.
“His all-round game in terms of what he gives to the team, his hold-up play, his ability to press the opposition – he is a pest to play against for defenders. That adds a lot to the team and he has clearly been a big part of why Everton have started the season so well. He thoroughly deserves his opportunity.”
Calvert-Lewin said: “I just phoned my mum and my dad, and my mum burst into tears. It’s something we’ve spoken about since I was a young boy. To get here now and get the call-up is a dream come true. I’m very happy … I didn’t really know how to feel, if I’m being honest. I’ve thought about this moment so many times.”
Southgate added that Foden and Greenwood would be back in contention for his next squad. He said: “We have to send a message to all our players in our teams at every age level that that sort of thing isn’t how we do things with England. Then we’ve got to rehabilitate these two boys. Young people will make mistakes. These lads have suffered enough now.
“I think they need this period of reflection but that gives them the opportunity to get back on their feet with their clubs, enjoy their football again. I can speak to them after this camp and it will be just be about their form then.”
Southgate said he could not promise club managers that players would not be involved in all three games, but stressed their workload would be managed. “We are certainly not looking to start players in three games … You might end up having to put someone on for five minutes and people will say you didn’t do what you said.
“Our aim is to manage the squad. We have got to be responsible. We are conscious of the welfare of the players.”