Tuchel Insists No Issue with Jude Bellingham, Foden, or Grealish
Thomas Tuchel has declared that he has "no conflict" with Jude Bellingham following the trio were left out the Three Lions squad for forthcoming matches against Latvia and Wales.
The midfielder did not earn a recall despite returning from a shoulder issue, while the Manchester City and Everton players also miss out although displaying improved form with their clubs.
The German manager revealed that the 22-year-old desired to be included of the squad, after a conversation with him via telephone.
"Bellingham is a special player, and for special players there can often be exceptions," the coach remarked regarding Bellingham, who has only started once since returning to fitness.
"But we opted to maintain the straightforward choice of inviting the identical squad.
"Bellingham consistently merits to be here. There is the factor that he has not quite regained his optimal form yet at his club - he has not finished a full match.
"He wanted to be selected. We had a telephone conversation."
Tuchel was keen to emphasize his good rapport with the midfielder after Tuchel said sorry to him earlier this year for calling his conduct during a match as "repulsive" in a live interview.
The German explained that he uttered those terms "without meaning to" and promised to be more cautious in future.
Inquired if he had any issue with Bellingham, Tuchel responded: "None. There is also no problem with Foden or Grealish.
"Foden is returning to influencing and shaping games for his club. Grealish is almost to being back to the top form of himself.
"There is no personal issue."
Bukayo Saka taking the place of the injured Noni Madueke is the only change to the previous squad, with Loftus-Cheek and Jarell Quansah retaining their places after joining as late additions last month due to fitness concerns.
The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday before a qualifying match in the Latvian capital on October 14.
Should the team triumph in the away fixture, they will need a maximum of two points from their remaining two matches - against Albania and Serbia in next month - to secure a place in next summer's World Cup in North America.
Impressive Display Under Tuchel
England produced their best display significantly under Tuchel's leadership when they beat the Serbian team five-nil on the road in Belgrade last time out.
Tuchel says that showing meant it an easy decision to keep mostly the same squad, though "there exist no certainties" for every squad member regarding selection.
"Our previous gathering was only a few weeks ago and the cohesion and morale was at its peak. That is why we decided to call up the same group to this session," he said.
"Foden is in a very good moment. Adam Wharton merits to be with us. Jones and Trevoh Chalobah are earning playing time with their teams.
"There are players who deserve to be here. Palmer is unfit and is a key talent. It will always be the case.
"Is our team a better team with Bellingham? Absolutely. But I mentioned before, what do we do if Jude is injured before the World Cup? Do we simply give up?"
The Manager's Media Briefing Gets Noticed
Thomas Tuchel again delivered a box office news conference.
Tuchel, a expert of handling his interactions with the media, started with an opening statement to set out his thinking for his selections.
Bellingham is fit and available and wanted to join to camp, but Tuchel explained he did not want to change the team too much after a impressive 5-0 victory over Serbia - where the manager said unity was at an all-time high.
However with him not selecting the star, and his repeated comments about togetherness, it is difficult to avoid connect the aspects - even though Tuchel insisted repeatedly how he is "special" and that there is "no problem" between Tuchel and one of England's star players.
Tuchel has always made it clear that he wanted to make the national team feel like a club team and, by retaining the same squad after a big victory, he has achieved that. But the questions will arise once more in the next camp if England perform strongly in these next two matches.