England chase top Nations League spot with new debutants in mind
· Sports · BBC Sport
England's Nations League campaign enters its final international break with qualification to the knockout stage already secured. Manager Thomas Tuchel has called up 19-year-old Fulham midfielder Adam King for the home fixture against Croatia and the trip to Spain, joining a squad already featuring recalled senior players Alex Scott and Rio Ngumoha. The 21-year-old Middlesbrough striker Lankshear, who scored 15 goals this season after a £20m move from Tottenham, is in contention to replace underperforming Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who managed just 15 minutes in two substitute appearances. Jude Bellingham retains his place as England's preferred number 10, making King's path to a senior debut particularly challenging despite Tuchel's praise of his under-21 performances.
Why it matters
Young prospects like Adam King and Lankshear are fighting for limited spots in a squad anchored by World Cup stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, with Kane's understudy role particularly contested. The outcomes of these two Nations League fixtures will shape England's quarter-final seeding and provide crucial game time for fringe players ahead of major tournament planning.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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