Chelsea trio Cole Palmer, Trevor Chalobah and Levi Colwill appear set to miss out on Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the World Cup, according to reports.
Palmer has had his least productive season since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, scoring just nine Premier League goals.
Those numbers are in part down to persistent injuries, which have seen the 24-year-old miss large swathes of the campaign.
But Palmer has also not scored in his large 12 matches in all competitions towards the end of this season, and that form appears to have cost him a spot in Tuchel’s England squad, which is due to be announced on Friday.
Love football?
Our seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we’ve got everything you need to know. Sign up now.
According to widespread reports, Palmer’s teammates Levi Colwill and Trevor Chalobah will also not be handed a call-up to the squad as potential cover at centre-backs.
Chalobah was given his England debut by Tuchel against Senegal last year and has featured heavily this season for the Blues.
Colwill, meanwhile, has only just returned to first-team action in recent weeks, having picked up an ACL injury during pre-season.
With Chalobah and Colwill set to miss out, Dan Burn and John Stones look poised to get spots alongside Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa as England’s centre-back options.
Reece James could, therefore, be the sole Chelsea representative in the England squad if he is picked at right-back.
Elsewhere, Phil Foden is expected to be another casualty in forward areas after a below-par season with Manchester City.
In midfield, Adam Wharton is also not expected to be named in Tuchel’s squad, with Kobbie Mainoo set to be included instead.
Earlier on Thursday, Harry Maguire confirmed that he won’t be in England’s squad despite his impressive form with Manchester United following the arrival of Michal Carrick.
Posting on Instagram, the 33-year-old said: ‘I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had.
‘I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.