Tuchel warns Cole Palmer after latest England withdrawal

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·26 September 2026

Tuchel warns Cole Palmer after latest England withdrawal

Thomas Tuchel has warned Cole Palmer that repeated injury withdrawals are limiting his chances of establishing himself in the England team after the Chelsea forward pulled out of the latest international squad.

Palmer had been recalled to the England setup after missing the World Cup, having made a strong start to the season for Chelsea. However, a minor muscular problem ruled him out of the current Nations League fixtures, with Tuchel acknowledging that the 24-year-old has been playing through discomfort.

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The England manager stressed that his criticism was not aimed at Palmer personally, but at the number of opportunities the forward has missed since Tuchel took charge.

“It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities. I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact.”

Palmer has made only three appearances for England since Tuchel became manager in January 2025, while his latest absence comes after he was left out of the squad for the World Cup. His limited involvement has made it difficult for Tuchel to assess him consistently within his system.

Tuchel warns Cole Palmer after England withdrawal: ‘He misses too many opportunities’

“I only want to rely on what I witness and see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp,” Tuchel said.

Palmer has nevertheless remained active during the international break. He is understood to be abroad working through an injury-specific programme with a Chelsea rehabilitation coach rather than joining up with England.

Tuchel rejected the suggestion that England’s withdrawals reflected players prioritising their clubs over international football. He pointed out that each case had to be considered individually, citing Palmer’s discomfort as well as the circumstances surrounding Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.

England have called up Morgan Gibbs-White as Palmer’s replacement, while Tuchel also has Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze available in attacking midfield.

The immediate focus is therefore on the players who have reported for duty, with England beginning their Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley.

For Palmer, however, the latest absence creates another interruption at international level just as he had begun rebuilding his position in Tuchel’s plans.