England closed their September/October UEFA Nations League campaign with nine points, with Spain topping the group with a full set of 12 points. England only lost to Spain in a 3-2 thriller, while beating Croatia 7-0. In all these games played, there was no Cole Palmer in the England XI.
In the UEFA Nations League campaign, England scored 16 goals in four games, as the Chelsea star missed out on the goalscoring fun. Thomas Tuchel stated there will be no Cole Palmer in the England XI because the player withdrew due to load management. Although he was initially named in Tuchel’s 27-man England shortlist for the opening 2026/27 UEFA Nations League fixtures, he left the camp after sustaining a muscular injury.
The fact that the Englishman withdrew from camp didn’t sit down well with some football journalists. In a recent news report, Piers Morgan described Palmer’s exit as a “bottle job”. He said:
“I think he’s a BOTTLE JOB. That’s a player who, to me, is massively SQUANDERING his obviously brilliant ability. He is apparently lacking in dedication and commitment to his country.”
Roy Keane didn’t hold back either, when it was reported there was no Cole Palmer in the England XI. In his words:
️“So let me get this straight. Palmer wasn’t fit enough to play for England, but after a little break and some specialist training, he’s suddenly expected to be available for Chelsea? If I’m an England player sitting there watching that, I’m asking questions.”
Keane dropped this statement after it was reported that the Chelsea star sustained a mild injury and exited camp, and began private training with a specialist fitness coach in preparation for the game against Bournemouth on Saturday, October 10. His action raised questions as to his dedication and passion to play for the Three Lions. However, it should be noted that although Cole Palmer in the England XI didn’t occur in the matches played, it’s predicted the ex-Manchester City midfielder could be called up for the November international break beginning on November 9 and concluding on November 17.
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Cole Palmer In The England XI: The Competition For The Forward Role Gets Even Tougher
The competition for the attacking roles just got heated, and it’d be very interesting to see how it plays out. Palmer is set to compete with the likes of Jude Bellingham, who has played a key role for the Three Lions in the just-concluded international break, Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon.
For the number 10 role, it’s difficult to see Cole Palmer in the England XI. It’s not totally clear how the Chelsea midfielder can displace an in-form Bellingham from the position. For both club and country, Bellingham has been putting up amazing performances. The player has, so far, provided four assists in four games, and found the back of the net once in England’s 2026/2027 UEFA Nations League campaign. It would be interesting to see how Cole Palmer would fit in during the next international break.
For the right-wing position, the 24-year-old may not be benching Saka anytime soon, and this could mean there may be no Cole Palmer in the England XI. Tuchel has full trust in the Arsenal forward in that role, and as it stands, not even Noni Madueke can replace him.
The left wing role isn’t even a debate. Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford are in a fierce competition for that role, although Tuchel sees the Barcelona and ex-Newcastle United forward as the best bet for the role due to recent performances. The ex-Chelsea boss handed Gordon four starts in the UEFA Nations League, and the player rewarded him with three goals and one assist.
Extra Time Notes
From one angle, it’s reported Palmer faked his injury to exit the camp to enable him to prepare for the league game against Bournemouth. On the other hand, it’s suggested the forward actually sustained an injury that necessitated his withdrawal from the camp. In any case, Tuchel knows what’s best for the Three Lions, and he alone can determine whether there will be a role for Cole Palmer in the England XI.
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