Saturday’s briefing: Tuchel recalls Bellingham and Guardiola misses Klopp

England boss Thomas Tuchel named his squad for the last round of World Cup qualifiers as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden returned to the fold.

Alex Scott was handed a first call up but the German coach is already thinking of life after next summer’s finals.

Premier League leaders Arsenal will be looking to go into the international break still well clear of the chasing pack when they head to buoyant Sunderland.

In the Women’s Super League, champions Chelsea are away to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.

‘Re-energised’ Thomas Tuchel thinks longer term

Thomas Tuchel feels he could extend his stay as England manager beyond next year’s World Cup having been “re-energised” by the role.

The 52-year-old, who took over from Gareth Southgate, has a deal with the Football Association through to the end of next summer’s World Cup, which England have qualified for with two games to spare.

It is a job the German coach is loving and one the former Chelsea boss hinted he was interested in staying in beyond the tournament in North America.

“I opened up the possibility,” Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. “If everyone, the FA is happy with me, there’s always the possibility, but the focus is now for camp.

“I feel re-energised and I love to work with the players and be close to the Premier League.”

Foden and Bellingham back

England will round off Group K with next Thursday’s Wembley encounter against Serbia and a trip to Albania.

Tuchel selected a 25-man squad for November’s camp, handing recalls for midfield duo Foden and Bellingham – who was boldly overlooked for last-month’s meet-up, but has impressed again for Real Madrid.

“Jude just has the edge,” Tuchel said. “It is a very good thing because you need a certain edge to reach the heights that he reached.

“We all need to help him and encourage him and create an environment which he can live this edge towards the opponents and towards the goals we are building as a team.”

Mikel Arteta set for Granit Xhaka reunion

Mikel Arteta believes former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka will become a “great coach” in the future but knows the Sunderland midfielder is a long way off hanging up his boots.

Xhaka has played every minute for newly-promoted Sunderland since he joined in July after a two-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

“It would be up to him to decide. That’s not for me but I think a very good one (manager),” said Arteta, with Xhaka having started his coaching badges while at Emirates Stadium.

“(But) let him play first. He’s playing every minute of every game, so I think he still has a long career ahead of him.”

Pep Guardiola misses old rival Jurgen Klopp

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he misses Jurgen Klopp as he prepares to face his great rival’s old club in the 1,000th game of his managerial career.

Guardiola feels there can be no more fitting opponent than Liverpool as he reaches four figures with a visit from the reigning champions on Sunday.

Guardiola said of Klopp: “I think we respected each other. I had the feeling that Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him.

“He gave me a lot in sense of, to beat that guy, how much I have to think and work and do it, to make it better.”

What’s on today?

Premier League leaders Arsenal head to Sunderland for the 5.30pm kick-off, with Tottenham taking on Manchester United at 12.30pm.

At the other end of the table, West Ham and Burnley meet at the London Stadium, Everton host Fulham before Chelsea play managerless Wolves at 8pm.

In the Women’s Super League, leaders Chelsea are away to Arsenal, while Manchester United will also be looking to keep the pressure on at the top when they play Aston Villa, with both matches starting Saturday’s action at 12pm.