Tuchel Drops Bellingham, Foden and Grealish

England coach Thomas Tuchel omitted Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from the squad for the upcoming friendly with Wales and the World Cup qualifier in Latvia. Tuchel said selection was a football decision to preserve the core group that beat Andorra and Serbia and to protect team spirit, rather than a medical ruling. He cited Bellingham’s lack of match rhythm after shoulder surgery and limited minutes for Real Madrid this season — one start and mostly short substitute appearances. The omission follows earlier public friction after Tuchel said some of Bellingham’s behaviour “repulsed” his mother, a remark for which he later apologised. Other selection decisions include the omission of Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton in favour of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and the return of Bukayo Saka to replace the injured Noni Madueke.