Former England defender Micah Richards isn't surprised to see Jude Bellingham back in the England squad. Bellingham missed out on Thomas Tuchel's selection for the October internationals but is back in for games against Serbia and Albania in November.

Tuchel opted against heading to Anfield to watch Bellingham's Real Madrid team take on Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It appears he had already seen what he needed from the midfielder, though, bringing him back into the fold for the final World Cup qualifiers.

"Let's cut to the chase, he'll be in," Richards told Mirror Football at Baller League before the official England annoncement. "He's been playing amazing for Real Madrid.

"I think that's what's good about England now. Normally historically, players would just straight into the team. I think it's good that we're fighting for places.

"I think [Elliot] Anderson's been brilliant this season. [Adam] Wharton's been really good. Declan Rice has taken his game to the next level. Imagine Rice and Bellingham in the eights with Wharton or Anderson sitting."

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England are already assured of their place at next summer's World Cup, with six wins from six in their qualifying group. However, Richards doesn't believe manager Tuchel should be rotating his team too much.

"The problem is it's hard giving players rest because we need to stay in that rhythm, don't you?" he added "I think in football form is key. I think if you start saying rest players here, it's... it doesn't always work out that way."

Bellingham one of a number of players recalled by Tuchel for the upcoming fixtures, along with Phil Foden, Nick Pope and Adam Wharton. There's also a first call-up for another midfielder, Alex Scott, after a fast start to the season with Bournemouth.

Manchester City youngster Nico O'Reilly is another who could make his debut, having been an unused substitute last month on his first call-up. James Trafford, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ollie Watkins are the players included in the October squad who miss out this month.

"Of course, he's an important player, he's a big player," England boss Tuchel said in October when asked about Bellingham. "I will speak to a lot of players, also to the guys that will get a text from me who were not in camp. Because these guys who are now here, they have the reward, and they feel the reward. And it's now necessary also that I stay in touch with the other guys."

Baller League returned for another explosive season earlier this month. Taking over the Copper Box Arena for the next two months, the small-sided competition brings together household names from football and culture.

Baller League is live on Sky Sports every Monday and tickets are available to purchase via Ticketmaster.com

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