Cole Palmer has been left out of the England squad for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, and Thomas Tuchel has been upfront about why. Sky Sports say the Chelsea man misses out even though an England medical check with his club has confirmed he’s fit and ready to play this weekend.
Palmer pulled out of the last camp with an injury, and that looks like the sticking point. Tuchel has gone with the players who were there and put the work in.
“I guess everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception,” said Tuchel.
“I said last time, he misses too many opportunities to impress.
“The players who were in camp built something extraordinary throughout these two-and-a-half weeks and that’s why the credit goes to them, the trust is for them.”
He was keen to stress there’s no grudge. “It’s not personal. We’ll never assume Cole isn’t in the mindset to come and play for his country but the competition is on and the players who were in camp did an amazing job and kept their place.”
The numbers add some context. Palmer has been unavailable through injury three times under Tuchel and has withdrawn from two other squads. He’s also been in decent nick for Chelsea, with six goal involvements in nine Premier League games this season.
Kobbie Mainoo is another to miss out. The Manchester United midfielder also withdrew from the previous camp. Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers are all kept on, with Tuchel saying that’s enough No 10s.
There’s a first call-up for Jobe Bellingham, and 19-year-old Josh King is in too after training with the group before the World Cup. Tuchel wants to see King used on both wings.
England face Croatia on Thursday 12 November and Spain three days later on Sunday 15 November. A point against Croatia would be enough to book a quarter-final spot.
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Fair enough wanting players who turn up, but Palmer can make something out of nothing and he’s in form. Leaving him out to send a message is a bit of a luxury when one point against Croatia seals a quarter-final place. England have plenty of No 10s, sure. If they stutter against Spain though, this is the first thing people will bring up, and Tuchel will have nobody to point at but himself.