Thomas Tuchel provides ‘concerning’ Cole Palmer update and sends message to dropped England stars

Thomas Tuchel has warned Cole Palmer that the forward’s ‘concerning’ injury problems could damage his chances of securing a place in his England squad should they qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Three Lions boast a 100 per cent record in Group K, winning all five of their opening qualifying matches, ahead of their trip to fourth-placed Latvia in Riga next Tuesday night.

Just two more victories would guarantee England a spot at next year’s tournament, but, first, Tuchel’s men face off against Craig Bellamy’s Wales for what promises to be an intriguing friendly at Wembley.

Eyebrows were raised as Tuchel’s unveiled his squad for this month’s double-header, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and a resurgent Jack Grealish all left out of England’s 24-man party.

There was also no place for Palmer, England’s goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final, after what has been a frustrating start to the season for the 23-year-old Chelsea man.

Palmer has been managing a groin issue in the early stages of the campaign, which has limited the attacker to a total of just three Premier League appearances this term.

And while Palmer was included in Tuchel’s first squad back in March, he has featured just once under the German – when a Harry Kane-inspired England got the better of Andorra.

‘He was only in the June camp, that’s concerning, of course,’ Tuchel said of Palmer’s fitness problems after confirming that England would also be without their captain, Kane, due to injury.

‘First of all, the most important thing is that he can play without pain because the groin issue is a very dangerous one to become chronic. This is the most important thing.

‘When he’s fit and when he has rhythm and flow, he can decide matches on club level and, for sure, at international level. We know that.

‘There is also with him no problem at all [for me]. We clearly understand and see the potential and the quality, but there is also a reality that he was not available in five of the [last] seven camps, so right now there are two camps left before the World Cup.’

There are hopes Palmer could return to full fitness to play a part in Chelsea’s next Premier League match away to Nottingham Forest on October 18.

But according to Tuchel, the Manchester City academy graduate – Chelsea’s Player of the Season last term – is a major doubt for the City Ground clash.

‘It would surprise me this time if he was able to play,’ Tuchel added.

Tuchel brushed off questions surrounding individual selection decisions in his squad and argued that lifting the World Cup fully would be largely on ‘arriving with a strong team’.

‘You need to accept your role and what being the best team-mate is,’ he continued.

‘The only way we can make things happen at the World Cup is if we arrive with a strong team.

‘I watched a documentary with the New England Patriots and there was a quote: “Don’t collect the best players, we make a talented team.”‘

The former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and PSG manager went on: ‘There will always be discussions. It’s on you to ask the question why.

‘You’re curious and maybe want to find the story behind it. The decisions are for the players in camp, they are not against the players.

‘I know there is always an angle, we just have to make a choice. It’s a good thing we have tough choices to make because we have a huge pool of players and we decided with this camp to stick with the team that had a brilliant camp last time.

‘Now we cannot start with the same starting XI as against Serbia so it’s natural we have changes. The competition is on.

‘I’m not surprised that I am questioned about my decisions, that’s the nature of the job. The feedback after the last match was very positive and all the credit goes to the team.’

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