England Player Dropped by Tuchel for Serbia Match Despite Starting Against Andorra

The England squad for the upcoming match against Serbia has been announced, with Myles Lewis-Skelly notably left out by head coach Thomas Tuchel. The Arsenal defender, who played the full 90 minutes in England’s 2-0 victory over Andorra, will not be part of the team facing Serbia.

Tuchel had a squad of 24 players but, adhering to UEFA rules limiting team size to 23, made the decision to omit Lewis-Skelly. Sources indicate that this exclusion was purely tactical, rather than due to injury concerns. Tuchel is also managing player minutes, particularly for Arsenal stars.

The English team, currently leading Group I with four wins from four matches, aims to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a victory in Belgrade. The Serbian side, featuring key players Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic, is expected to present a significant challenge.

Lewis-Skelly’s limited appearances this season reflect strong competition within the squad, with manager Mikel Arteta favoring Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori as full-backs. Despite his impressive youth debut season, Lewis-Skelly has only played 44 minutes across three league matches this campaign.

Tuchel expressed optimism about the upcoming fixture, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. He said, “The fans, the atmosphere, and the opponent will bring out the best in us. Serbias talent and determination make this a crucial match.”

He highlighted that a win would bring England closer to World Cup qualification, noting the importance of facing strong rivals like Serbia in a match filled with intensity at one of Europe’s most hostile venues, though limited attendance will reduce the crowd due to disciplinary sanctions.

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Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has been omitted from the squad to face Serbia.

Tuchel’s team has an opportunity to move closer to qualification with a win in Serbia.