Cole Palmer set to withdraw from England squad with minor injury
September 21, 2026 10:30
Cole Palmer is set to withdraw from England's squad for the upcoming Nations League matches because of a minor injury. The 24-year-old will miss the extended international break during which England play four fixtures.
KEY CONTEXT
Palmer had been recalled by manager Thomas Tuchel after being controversially left out of England's World Cup squad. Tuchel previously said Palmer had a "point to prove" and needed "to step up" to "keep his shirt and justify the nomination".
The decision to withdraw follows Palmer playing the full 90 minutes for Chelsea in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday. Since missing out on World Cup selection and having a summer off, he has started six of Chelsea's seven games and played the full 90 minutes in five of them, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
Palmer was also hampered by a recurring groin injury in 2025-26, a problem former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca — now boss at Manchester City — said "did not make sense".
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
England's schedule during the break is: Spain at Wembley on Saturday 26 September, away to the Czech Republic on 29 September, away to Croatia on 3 October and hosting the Czech Republic on 6 October. Palmer will not be available for those matches.
ADDITIONAL NOTE
Palmer's last appearance for England came in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan in March.