England are back in action! On Saturday night, the Three Lions will face world and European champions Spain at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League. Excited? Nope, didn't think so... Well, when Thomas Tuchel's squad was announced last week, there were reasons for Liverpool fans to pay attention to the Three Lions.
Love him or hate him, Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the England set up, having not been called up for the World Cup. Well, a player all Kopites adore universally is Rio Ngumoha, who has also been included in this squad, to much excitement. However, it was revealed on Saturday morning that the 18 year old will not be in action at Wembley later in the evening.
Tuchel currently has 24 players in camp at St. George's Park, preparing for this quartet of Nations League matches. As Germany manager Jürgen Klopp has underlined, calling up 44 players, manager's can include an unlimited number of players for camp. However, on a match-by-match basis, national teams must submit a 23-man squad, obviously including 11 starters and 12 substitutes.
According to widespread reports, Ngumoha will be the man to miss out when Spain visit London. Being the only one will be something of a psychological blow for a young player who has already started three times for Liverpool this season, seemingly central to Andoni Iraola's plans.
However, we hope Ngumoha has not been disheartened too much by this. Tuchel's starting front three against Spain is likely to be Bukayo Saka on the right, captain Harry Kane through the middle and Anthony Gordon on the left. Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Morgan Gibbs-White are the other attacking options, after Cole Palmer and Marcus Rashford withdrew.
Thus, the left winger spot is pretty much up for grabs, albeit there is hardly a shortage of options. Despite being overlooked for the first match of the window, there are still three more opportunities for Ngumoha to get his chance.
The teenager, who is also currently eligible to represent France, Nigeria and Guadeloupe, made his England debut in June. He was introduced at half time of a friendly win over New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. So now, he is seeking a first competitive cap, which won't come on Saturday night, but is likely to be won in the next week or so.
England's September/October UEFA Nations League fixtures
- Saturday 26 September. Kick off 7:45pm. England vs Spain. Wembley.
- Tuesday 29 September. Kick off 7:45pm. Czech Republic vs England. Fortuna Arena, Prague.
- Saturday 3 October. Kick off 5pm. Croatia vs England. Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka.
- Tuesday 6 October. Kick off 7:45pm. England vs Czech Republic. Wembley.
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