Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are among the shock omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the October international break.
The Three Lions are set to face Wales in a friendly next week before travelling to Latvia for their latest World Cup qualifier.
After a sluggish start, Tuchel’s England roared into life during the last international break, giving fans renewed hope ahead of next summer’s tournament in North America.
But supporters were left stunned by the German manager’s squad selection on Friday, with several huge names and in-form starts left out.
Chief amongst them is Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham and Manchester City attacker Foden, often regarded as two of England’s best and most talented players.
Bellingham only returned from a lengthy shoulder injury two weeks ago, so his absence may just be down to fitness, but Foden has four goal contributions in seven appearances and looks back to his best after a difficult campaign last season.
It is also surprising to see Jack Grealish left out, with the attacking midfielder reborn since moving to Everton on loan from City, even winning the Premier League Player of the Month award in August.
The trio were understandably left out of last month’s squad but many expected them to return this time round, with this latest squad largely the same as before.
This means Aston Villa forwards Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins keep their place despite their struggling start to the season, as does Ruben Loftus-Cheek who was shockingly recalled after a seven-year absence from the national team.
One player who has returned is Bukayo Saka, who replaces Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke who has been sidelined with injury.
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Man City)
Defenders: And Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Ponda (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Man City), John Stones (Man City), John Stones (Man City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, Loan from Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Elsewhere there is disappointment to see Crystal Palace duo Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell excluded, with the pair playing a key role in the club’s record 19-game unbeaten run, which included last weekend’s stunning victory over Liverpool.
England welcome Wales to Wembley on Thursday, October 9, before visiting Latvia on Tuesday, October 14.
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