Palmer Missing Too Many England Opportunities, Says Tuchel
Cole Palmer is missing too many chances to impress for England, according to manager Thomas Tuchel, after the Chelsea forward withdrew from the latest international squad.
Palmer’s absence came as a surprise because he had started all five of Chelsea’s Premier League matches this season. However, Tuchel explained that the 24-year-old had been playing through discomfort and pain.
Palmer was left out of England’s World Cup squad by Tuchel and has made only three appearances for the national team since the German became manager in January 2025.
“My understanding is that he is playing with discomfort and pain, and he cannot compete at the highest level with discomfort and pain. So he withdrew and informed us, and Chelsea informed us,” Tuchel said.
“For sure. It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities. I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact.
“He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.
“And if you’re not in camp, there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it when you are actually on the pitch with me. So yes, it is a missed opportunity.”
Palmer is understood to be abroad working through an injury-specific training programme.
Chelsea’s players who were not selected for international duty were given several days off and permission to travel if they wanted to. Palmer has travelled with a Chelsea rehabilitation coach as he continues his recovery.
Tuchel dismisses club-versus-country concerns
Palmer is one of several England players to withdraw from the current squad because of injury. Declan Rice, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have also pulled out.
Despite the number of withdrawals, Tuchel said he was not concerned that players might prioritise their clubs over England.
“We are not managing load. When I was in club football, I used the term ‘international break’ and, when you hear it from the other side, it is a totally different picture,” he said.
“It is a competitive environment, but it is also an environment that the players love to be a part of.
“That is what togetherness and brotherhood look like, and that is what we have created since last September in qualifying. We will never compromise on that.”
Tuchel added that England would focus on the players who were fully committed to representing the national team.
“We will never let it creep in that we have a feeling players do not want to come. We focus on the guys who absolutely want to play for England.”
Tuchel expects positive Wembley reception
England’s first match since the World Cup will come against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
The Three Lions finished the tournament with a 6-4 victory over France in the bronze medal match, but their campaign was overshadowed by their 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina.
England had led 1-0 entering the final 15 minutes but dropped deeper and surrendered possession before Argentina scored twice late on to book their place in the final.
Tuchel does not expect England’s supporters to hold that defeat against the team.
“I would be very surprised if the atmosphere would hold a third place or an accident in the 85th minute of a semi-final against us and against our team, that would surprise me a lot,” Tuchel said.
“The time and how and how fast it sold out shows me how excited everyone is to come and watch.”
However, Tuchel knows England will face a difficult challenge against Spain.
“That’s the reality of it, Spain make it hard for you to play a high intensity game. They are happy to control the ball and the rhythm.
“There can be spells when we will suffer and have to suffer, but there can be spells where we dominate and can bring the attributes that make us strong, so let’s see how it plays out.”
