Cole Palmer's form for Chelsea ought to make him a shoo-in for England’s final international squad of 2026. The question is whether Thomas Tuchel has lost patience with him. Palmer was hugely disappointed when he was overlooked for the World Cup in the summer after a stop-start season due to injury, and he withdrew from the last England camp in September and October because of a minor fitness issue.
The 24-year-old has been unavailable for selection due to injury three times since Tuchel took over, and he has withdrawn from two further squads after being named. He has only played three times for his country since the German coach took the reins in January 2025. But Palmer is one of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League right now.
Eight goal involvements in 11 matches testify to that, although Morgan Rogers, who has had a hand in 10 goals, and Jude Bellingham, who's contributed to nine, have better stats. If Palmer were left out, it would be a pointed statement from the England boss and would raise serious doubts about his international future under Tuchel. When it was put to Tuchel in the last break that Palmer doesn't seem desperate to play for England, he responded: "It's hard to argue against what you're saying.
I can only judge him on what he is delivering for the national team and he's just missing too many opportunities." Tuchel viewed the last international camp as a real success. A narrow home defeat, with some positives, against the world champions Spain was followed by three straight victories, including a 7-0 mauling of Croatia in Rijeka. On several occasions when the squad has performed well, Tuchel has rewarded those players by sticking with a broadly similar group in the next camp.
If he does the same again, Palmer may miss out. Which of the other number 10s who were included in September and October would have to give up their place to accommodate Palmer this time? Bellingham and Rogers are guaranteed selections.
Eberechi Eze may be vulnerable after a stop-start month with Arsenal, as might Morgan Gibbs-White, who benefitted when Palmer withdrew last time. Similar to Palmer, it feels like Kobbie Mainoo's England future is on a knife-edge right now. The midfielder was the only outfield player not to get a minute of football during England's World Cup, and Tuchel promised to make amends in the Nations League games this autumn - only for Mainoo to withdraw from the squad before it even met up, with an unspecified injury.
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