Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has pulled out of the England squad through injury for the second time since Thomas Tuchel took charge. Despite six goal contributions in his opening seven matches of the season, he has once again left the national team camp. Against that backdrop, Tuchel openly questioned Palmer's commitment to England, telling reporters that a player can only be judged on what he does for his country, and that Palmer is letting far too many opportunities slip by.
Chelsea insist the player is carrying persistent pain and that his condition simply cannot be controlled through workload management. Yet Tuchel was emphatic that the international break is no time for rest, making clear he will instead turn to the likes of Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. Tellingly, across the eight international camps held under the German's stewardship, Palmer has made it onto the pitch in just three matches.
