Tuchel questions whether Cole Palmer is eager for England

England boss Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on whether Cole Palmer (Chelsea) is genuinely desperate to play for England after the forward withdrew from the squad again due to a fitness problem.

Palmer was a controversial omission from England’s World Cup squad in the summer, with an injury-hit season affecting his form. After a quiet break, he looked set for a quick return to top level, racking up six goal involvements in seven matches for Chelsea. That run earned him a recall for Nations League games against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia, but he withdrew from that group due to injury.

Tuchel said this is the second time Palmer has been called up and then pulled out with a fitness issue since he started in charge at the beginning of 2025. He also missed three England camps entirely and was not selected for another. Pressed on what that means for England, Tuchel pointed to Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze as options available in camp, adding: “It’s hard to argue against what you’re saying.”