Thomas Tuchel is considering an England recall for Cole Palmer and could include Alex Scott in his squad for the Nations League. Tuchel’s first selection since the World Cup will be confirmed on Friday morning and the head coach has been weighing up claims from a host of players who failed to earn a place in his plans last summer. Palmer was one of those to miss out after struggling for form and fitness but the Chelsea attacker has started the season with four goals and two assists, raising optimism around his hopes of inclusion.
England, who finished third at the World Cup but faced criticism for their performance in their semi-final defeat by Argentina, have a host of players competing for the No 10 spot. Tuchel took Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers to the World Cup and snubbed Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Palmer. Gibbs-White has started the season well for Nottingham Forest and is in contention.
Fulham’s Josh King is another contender for a spot. King was one of four youngsters included as a training player for England’s camp in Florida before the World Cup. Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder, was also selected after failing to make the cut.
The 23-year-old is in impressive form and was close to going to the World Cup. Scott is yet to make his international debut but is admired by Tuchel, who regretted not taking the Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha to the World Cup. England are likely to name an extended squad as they open their campaign in Nations League Group A3 with games against Spain and Croatia and a double header against Czechia.
Tuchel could shake things up, especially as some players who went to the World Cup are injured. Dean Henderson, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, John Stones and Jordan Henderson have fitness issues. Players hoping to catch Tuchel’s eye include the Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the Forest forward Liam Delap.
The Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is yet to convince Tuchel. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill are options in central defence and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall could provide competition at left-back. The uncapped duo of Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier are dark horses in attacking midfield.
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