Cole Palmer withdraws from England squad with 'discomfort and pain', Tuchel says
September 25, 2026 18:41
Tuchel described Palmer's absence as "a missed opportunity", adding: "He misses too many opportunities. I don't blame him for it. It is just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp." Palmer had started all five of Chelsea's Premier League matches so far this season.
Palmer was left out of the World Cup squad by Tuchel and has featured three times since Tuchel took charge of the Three Lions in January 2025. It is understood Palmer is currently abroad completing an injury-specific training plan and has been accompanied on the trip by a Chelsea rehabilitation coach. Chelsea's non-international players have been given days off and permitted to travel.
Declan Rice, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo also pulled out of the squad with injury.
England face world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday — their first match since the World Cup — and will play four fixtures during this international window. The Three Lions finished the World Cup with a 6-4 win over France in the bronze medal match but were criticised for the 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, in which England led 1-0 going into the final 15 minutes before conceding two late goals.
On the reaction to that result, Tuchel said he did not expect a negative reception from fans: "I would be very surprised if the atmosphere would hold a third place or an accident in the 85th minute of a semi-final against us and against our team, that would surprise me a lot." He also warned Spain could make things difficult by controlling the ball and rhythm, saying "there can be spells when we will suffer and have to suffer, but there can be spells where we dominate."