Despite Injury, Billingham is Present: Chelsea and Manchester City Talents Called up to England Squad

Gareth Southgate, the coach of the England national team, has called up Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis, the young players from Chelsea and Manchester City, to the Three Lions squad for the first time in their careers in preparation for the upcoming international break.

Southgate announced the England squad today, Monday, in preparation for the last two qualifying matches for the UEFA Euro 2024 against Malta and North Macedonia.

England will host Malta next Friday, and then play away against North Macedonia on the following Monday.

The England team has secured its spot in the finals, which will be held next summer in Germany.

The England squad also saw the addition of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for the first time, along with the absentees James Maddison, Lewis Dunk, and Callum Wilson.

The squad also included the name of Jude Bellingham, a star from Real Madrid, despite suffering a shoulder injury and needing two weeks to recover according to reports.

Here is the England squad in preparation for the matches against Malta and North Macedonia:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Calvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).