Jobe Bellingham has received his first England senior call-up. Manager Thomas Tuchel conceded that the midfielder's older brother, Jude, had pestered him to make the move.
The younger Bellingham captains England's under-21 side and has impressed for Borussia Dortmund this season. He joins a 25-man squad for Nations League matches against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday and against Spain in Madrid three days later.
If the brothers share the field, they would end a 19-year gap since England last fielded siblings together. Gary and Phil Neville were the last pair to do it.
It would mean more than any of the trophies I have won.
Jude Bellingham, England midfielder
Tuchel called the family reunion a beautiful story and said he was curious whether having Jobe around could push Jude to an even higher level. He said Jude kept urging him to watch his brother, and that under-21 manager Lee Carsley had also vouched for the player.
Jobe's chances of featuring against Croatia improved because Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended for that game. Tuchel sees him as closer to a No. 8 than a holding midfielder or a No. 10. He broke the news on a video call and said the youngster could not stop smiling.
The selection also reflects a thaw between Tuchel and Jude. A year ago, the elder Bellingham's squad place was in question. Tuchel admitted the relationship had its ups and downs but said the two are now in a good place.
Turnover runs deep. Only 11 of the 22 outfield players in this squad went to last summer's World Cup, where England lost to Argentina in the semifinals. Tuchel said the team had to bring in young players and fresh energy or risk falling behind, and that the previous camp offered some proof the approach works.
That September-October camp produced three wins in four Nations League games, all but locking up a quarterfinal berth.
Tuchel added 19-year-old attacking midfielder Josh King on Friday. King's only prior involvement came at the pre-World Cup training camp in Florida. Right-back Ben White, a more experienced option, was recalled.
Palmer, Foden and Mainoo miss out
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were both left out. Tuchel insisted Palmer's omission was not personal and that places are up for grabs. He suggested Foden was nearer a return, calling the decision very close, and said Eberechi Eze, who is not starting for Arsenal, had narrowly kept his spot.
Kobbie Mainoo was also omitted. Tuchel said the midfielder was deeply disappointed after going to the World Cup without playing, which hurt his confidence. Mainoo then withdrew from the last camp, got injured and hit a rough patch as Manchester United's form slumped.
Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson and Dan Burn, all World Cup picks who are fit again, were dropped, and Nico O'Reilly, who is managing an injury, was not selected. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, John Stones, Alex Scott, Trevoh Chalobah, Tino Livramento and Reece James are out injured.
