The Chelsea forward was a controversial omission from England's World Cup squad in the summer, with an injury-hit 2025/26 season impacting his form. After a summer off, it appeared Palmer was returning to a high level in the early weeks of this campaign, with six goal involvements in seven games for Chelsea. That output earned him a recall to the England group for the Nations League matches with Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia - but Palmer has withdrawn from the squad with injury.
It is the second time Palmer has been called up for the national team and then withdrawn with a fitness problem since Tuchel took charge of England at the start of 2025. Palmer has also missed three England camps entirely with injury and wasn't selected for another. The 24-year-old has played three times for Tuchel, across two camps, and the England boss said his lack of availability is a problem.
"For sure it's a missed opportunity," said Tuchel in a press conference ahead of Saturday's game with Spain. "It's another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities.
"I don't blame him for it, it's just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries. "I only want to rely on what I personally witness and see within my team.
For that you have to be in camp. If you are not in camp there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it with me on the pitch and with us on the pitch. It is a missed opportunity." Palmer played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea at Brentford on the Friday before the international break began.
Asked what the specific injury issue is for Palmer, Tuchel rejected the suggestion this was a case of the forward's workload being managed. "He plays with discomfort and pain and cannot play on the highest level with discomfort and pain," said Tuchel. That is my understanding.
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