Sources give the truth on Cole Palmer’s England decision

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talk Chelsea

·22 September 2026

Sources give the truth on Cole Palmer’s England decision

Cole Palmer pulled out of the England squad for this international break, but this isn’t because he doesn’t want to play for Thomas Tuchel.

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Cole Palmer’s England career has been an odd one.

He started to shine a little too late to make himself a regular starter for Euro 2024 – although he did come on and score in the final. That looked like it would be the start of his time as a key player, but badly timed injuries kept him out of a few squads, and then his poor form last year meant that Thomas Tuchel didn’t take him to the World Cup.

This break was his chance to show the German what he can do – after a good start in the Premier League, Palmer was included in the squad for the four games in the coming weeks. But he’s had to pull out because of injury again.

Cole Palmer desperate to state England case again

(Photo by Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Some are interpreting this as Palmer snubbing his national team, because Tuchel didn’t take him to the tournament in the summer. But Simon Phillips says on his Substack that it’s quite the opposite:

“SPTC Sources understand Palmer was buzzing to be back in the England fold and had every intention of going to camp and giving it his all for these Nations League games,” he wrote.

It was only discussions with Chelsea medical staff which persuaded him to pull out. All he can do now is try to keep playing well for Chelsea and be available for the spring breaks next year.