Gareth Southgate has named his England squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
England can secure qualification for Qatar 2022 during November’s international break, as the Three Lions face Albania and San Marino in their final two fixtures and look to extend their unbeaten record in the group.
Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips return to the squad after missing October’s internationals, though there is no place for Jadon Sancho or Jesse Lingard following indifferent starts to the season at Manchester United.
Kieran Trippier is also left out, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Reece James preferred as Southgate’s right-back options.
The England manager discussed his decision at a press-conference to release the squad, opening up on the competition for places and mentioning Southampton teenager Valentino Livramento as a potential future inclusion.
“We have fantastic competition for places there. Kieran Trippier, who we haven’t selected this time, to give a bit of an opportunity to Reece and Trent, is a player that we have so much respect for. I’m sure he will be back with us in the future.
“Reece and Trent are performing at a really high level.
“I also talk about Livramento who has had a very good start to the season. It’s an area of the team where we have a lot of competition for players”.
Confirming your #ThreeLions squad for November! 👊
— England (@England) November 4, 2021
There was no place in the squad for either Conor Gallagher or Emile Smith Rowe, the England u21 duo having been linked with senior call-ups after excellent starts to the season at Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
“Emile, Conor Gallagher are all playing very well with their clubs.
But we’ve got depth and to put them in, we’ve got to leave some of those out.
The boys I’ve mentioned are on a really good path, we’ve got a good chance to see them with the U21s and their clubs. But at the moment probably just a bit too early for them”.
