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 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.’