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Confirmed: Cole Palmer left out of England squad again
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- Confirmed: Cole Palmer left out of England squad again
Confirmed: Cole Palmer left out of England squad again
England Squad Verdict: Cole Palmer Misses Out as Thomas Tuchel Turns to Youth
Thomas Tuchel has made his call, and Cole Palmer is out. After medical checks and fresh discussion over his fitness, the Chelsea attacker has been omitted from England's latest squad for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. It is a big decision, and a pointed one.
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Palmer had already been warned by Tuchel after withdrawing from the previous camp. The England manager said he misses "too many opportunities" to play for his country because of injury. Chelsea maintain they told the Football Association that Palmer was fit and available if selected. In the end, that made no difference.
Tuchel Sends Clear Palmer Message
This feels less like a fitness issue and more like a managerial line in the sand. International football gives coaches limited time and limited patience. If Tuchel believes availability is becoming a pattern, he will move on quickly. Palmer is talented, no question, but talent does not guarantee selection.
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There was no room either for Arsenal winger Noni Madueke, while Phil Foden again misses out. Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is absent too, after injury disrupted his last involvement and after a summer in which he was the only outfield player in Tuchel's World Cup squad not to play a single minute.
England Squad Opens Door for Jobe Bellingham
The headlines elsewhere belong to the newcomers. Jobe Bellingham is in, Josh King is in, and both are uncapped. So too is Jason Steele, who keeps his place in the squad despite Dean Henderson returning at club level. Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha also gets the nod, alongside Inter Milan full-back Djed Spence and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It is a squad with a definite youth slant, though not without experience. Harry Kane is there, of course, and on the verge of history. If he plays against Croatia at Wembley next Thursday, he will become England's most-capped men's player outright with appearance number 126. He had already drawn level with Peter Shilton on 125 during the 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.
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Harry Kane Record Chase Adds Weight
Tuchel also welcomes back Declan Rice and Ben White after injury. Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are unavailable, both ruled out through injury, while Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains overlooked despite external backing for his inclusion.
That is the bottom line. Palmer misses out, Kane closes in on a landmark, and Tuchel has picked a squad that rewards availability, trusts form and leaves no room for sentiment.
