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Thomas Tuchel stated that he has "no problem" with Jack Grealish following these players were omitted the England team for forthcoming fixtures against Latvia and Wales.

The midfielder did not earn a recall despite returning from a shoulder injury, while the Manchester City and Everton players are also absent despite displaying a return to form with their clubs.

The German manager mentioned that the 22-year-old wanted to be included of the selection, after a conversation with him via telephone.

"Bellingham is a special player, and for special players there can often be exceptions," Tuchel said about the Real Madrid star, who's only started once since coming back to fitness.

"However we opted to stick with the simple choice of inviting the same group.

"Bellingham always deserves to be here. There is also the situation that he has not quite found his optimal form yet at his club - he has not completed a full game.

"He wanted to be called up. We had a telephone conversation."

Tuchel was keen to emphasize his good rapport with Bellingham after Tuchel said sorry to him earlier this year for calling his conduct during a match as "repulsive" in a live interview.

Tuchel explained that he uttered those terms "unintentionally" and would be more careful going forward.

When asked if he had a problem with the player, he responded: "None. There is no issue either with Phil Foden or Grealish.

"Phil is back to impacting and shaping games for Manchester City. Jack is almost to being back to the best version of himself.

"There is no personal problem."

Bukayo Saka replacing the injured Noni Madueke is the only change to last month's squad, with Loftus-Cheek and Jarell Quansah retaining their places after being late additions last month due to injury.

The Three Lions face the Welsh team in a non-competitive match at Wembley on Thursday before a qualifying match in the Latvian capital on 14 October.

Should the team win in Latvia, they will require a up to two more points from their final two matches - against Albania and Serbia in November - to earn a spot in next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Strong Performance By the Manager

England produced their finest performance significantly under Tuchel's leadership when they defeated the Serbian team 5-0 away in the Serbian capital last time out.

Tuchel says that showing meant it an straightforward choice to stick with mostly the identical group, though "there exist no certainties" for any player regarding being picked.

"Our previous gathering was just a few weeks ago and the cohesion and morale was on the highest level. That is why we decided to invite the identical players to this camp," he said.

"Phil is in a very good moment. Wharton merits to be with us. Curtis Jones and Chalobah are getting playing time with their clubs.

"There are players who deserve to be here. Cole Palmer is unfit and is a special player. It will consistently remain like this.

"Is our team a better team with Jude? Yes. But I mentioned before, what do we do if he is injured before the tournament? Do we simply give up?"

The Manager's Press Conference Draws Attention

Thomas Tuchel once more gave a headline-grabbing press briefing.

Tuchel, a master of managing his relationship with the press, started with an opening statement to set out his reasoning for his selections.

The midfielder is fit and available and expressed interest to join to the squad, but Tuchel has said he preferred not to change the squad too much after a statement 5-0 victory over their opponents - where the boss noted unity was at an all-time high.

But with Tuchel not including the star, and his repeated comments about team spirit, it is difficult to avoid link the two - although Tuchel said multiple times how he is "exceptional" and that there is "no problem" between him and one of the national team's star players.

Tuchel has consistently made it evident 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 come again in the following session if England win well in these next two matches.