Sheffield-born striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns England squad recall from Thomas Tuchel
Sheffield United academy product Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been included in the England squad by Thomas Tuchel
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been rewarded for his impressive start to the new season by being recalled to the England squad.
The Sheffield United academy product has scored four goals in six appearances in all competitions so far for Leeds United this season and is one of eight attackers named by manager Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League matches.
Calvert-Lewin has 12 caps for England, scoring four goals, with his last appearance coming after a five-year gap, in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay in March, which had essentially been an audition for Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
The 29-year-old missed out on the summer trip to USA/Canada/Mexico but his form this season has brought about a return with England set to face Spain next Saturday, followed by trips to Czech Republic and Croatia before a return home to take on the Czechs again in what is an extended international break.
Former Blades pair Dean Handerson and Morgan Gibbs-White weren’t named, with the former currently injured, while Tuchel said Gibbs-White ‘was close’.
There was no place for Harry Maguire in the squad but Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold returns after his World Cup snub.
Alexander-Arnold’s England future looked bleak under Tuchel, who preferred to select injury-prone players and central defenders ahead of him over the last 15 months, but he is back in the fold after an impressive start to the season with his club.
“He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it’s his chance to show, come to camp, and be the best version of himself,” Tuchel said at his first media appearance since the World Cup.
“He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid, and he comes as a right-back for us.”
Asked what Alexander-Arnold has to do to win him over, the German said: “Perform. That’s just what it is.
“It’s a competition, and I understand your question because he was not with us at the World Cup. I chose other players.
“I still stick with this decision, and this is now time to fight for his place.
“He always said he’s up for a fight. He always said he’s up to fight for his place, especially for England.
“So, it’s on him to prove, and he’s more than welcome in camp. We have a long camp. I’m sure he will show up.”
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell 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 (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)