Thomas Tuchel has revealed Myles Lewis-Skelley is one of four players to be left out of his England squad after being ‘outperformed’ since the last international break.
Tuchel confirmed his 25-man squad on Friday for the Three Lions’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Serbia.
With England having already secured their spot at next summer’s tournament, Tuchel highlighted the competition for places as the focus switches to the finals.
Arsenal full back Lewis-Skelley was among those left out of his latest squad, with the England boss following through on a warning last month that the youngster needs to start more matches for the Gunners.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Morgan Gibbs-White and James Trafford have also been left out of the squad, while Tuchel stated that Ollie Watkins absence was fitness related.
The England boss stressed that four players had lost their places in the squad after being ‘outperformed’ by rivals in their positions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of four players dropped after Thomas Tuchel said they had been ‘outperformed’
Jude Bellingham was recalled to the England squad after impressing for Real Madrid
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who missed a penalty on Thursday, made way for Bellingham
‘Myles was a very good team-mate and played for us in the last camp in the World Cup qualifier in Riga, so was Ruben Loftus-Cheek, so was Morgan Gibbs-White and James Trafford,’ Tuchel said.
‘But I said last time there is a component to it that it’s about competition and performance and the door is always open for guys who perform on a regular and high level.
‘Myles, Ruben and Morgan got out-performed by Nico O’Reilly, Alex Scott, Nick Pope and Jude in their positions.
‘Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes. Now came a time when Nico O’Reilly had so many starts in that position, so he is slightly ahead for this camp.’
Lewis-Skelly has played just 86 minutes in the Premier League so far this season, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta having preferred to play Riccardo Calafiori at left back.
The 19-year-old has been restricted to just four starts, with two coming in the Carabao Cup and two in the Champions League.
Trafford has been displaced at Man City by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Nick Pope has been constant between the posts for Newcastle in the Premier League and Champions League.
Tuchel said Lewis-Skelly had been outperformed by Nico O’Reilly, pictured, as he insisted the Arsenal full back needs to make more starts for his club
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was handed his first call-up to the England senior set-up
Scott takes Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s place in the squad after his limited minutes for AC Milan
Bellingham’s return to the squad comes following impressive form for Real Madrid, while Gibbs-White’s form has dipped for Nottingham Forest amid their struggles so far this season.
Gibbs-White, who missed a penalty for Forest in their Europa League draw against Sturm Graz on Thursday, has scored just one goal and provided a single assist in the Premier League so far this season.
Loftus-Cheek has not started a match for AC Milan since September, while Tuchel highlighted Scott’s performances for Bournemouth and his success with the England Under-21s in the summer as factors behind his maiden call-up.
