England Lost 8 Players Ahead Of Two UEFA Nations League Matches

Bukayo Saka, one of eight players who withdrew from the England national team due to injury (Instagram/@bukayosaka87).

JAKARTA - The England national team was hit by a storm of injuries ahead of appearing in two UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 matches.

Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer became the last two names to join six other players who had to resign from the Three Lions squad.

Previously, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Ramsdale, and Declan Rice would also not be available due to injury.

Saka picked up a leg injury at the end of Arsenal's match against Chelsea before leaving in the 81st minute.

Saka's teammate Declan Rice started at Stamford Bridge although some of hers reportedly broke her toe. The midfielder was later replaced by Mikel Merino in the 71st minute.

After the match, Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta was sad that the two players were not fit. He was worried that the two of them playing for the England national team could put them back in bad shape for the Emirates.

Then, Cole Palmer was also in doubt due to injury problems even though he played full for Chelsea at home to the Gunners.

Alexander-Arnold took off the pitch holding on to his hamstring in the first half when Liverpool won over Aston Villa on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

Reds manager Arne Slot said after the game that the injury was not a good sign.

The injury left Alexander-Arnold expected to be out for about two weeks.

There is also Jack Grealish who has to withdraw from the Three Lions squad. However, it has been predicted in advance considering that his last match for Manchester City will take place on October 20, 2024.

Grealish's election into the Three Lions squad raised concerns from Pep Guardiola, who said Lee Carsley did not consult him before choosing the striker.

Many injured pillar players earned Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) the first call in the England national team.

In addition, the interim manager of Three Lions, Lee Carsley, also included other players who have never received the nicknames of the England national team, namely Tino Livramento and James Trafford, to join Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite, who have joined the squad this time.

The England national team will play the remaining two matches this year in the UEFA Nations League against Greece (15 November 2024) and the Republic of Ireland (18 November 2024.

Setelah dua laga itu, Three Lions akan memulai perjalanan tahun depan di tangan Thomas Tuchel.