England squad: Thomas Tuchel makes statement with Cole Palmer exclusion but insists "It's not personal"
Cole Palmer has been left out of the England squad for the November Nations League internationals with Croatia and Spain; Chelsea ace withdrew from last camp with injury and boss Thomas Tuchel has made a statement by backing the players who performed positively in September and October
Friday 6 November 2026 16:16, UK
Thomas Tuchel has insisted Cole Palmer's absence from the England squad isn't "personal" - but sent out an emphatic statement with the Chelsea star's exclusion.
Palmer is in form and a check from the England medical staff with Chelsea confirmed he is fit and ready to play this weekend. But Tuchel has prioritised players who were available and delivered in the previous international break.
Tuchel made headlines in September when he said Palmer misses too many opportunities to impress him, following the attacker's withdrawal due to injury.
During Tuchel's tenure Palmer has been unavailable for selection because of injury three times and has withdrawn from a further two squads. For the November Nations League games with Croatia and Spain, the England boss is putting his trust in the players who have shown him up close what they can do.
"It's always the ones who are in camp, the ones who don't withdraw," Tuchel said. "The ones who walk the talk, and come to camp and show it matters and put the quality in. That's what we will always reward.
"It matters what you do in camp. The last camp was an excellent one, so the trust and belief is on the players who were there."
Among No 10 options, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers retain their places from the previous round of internationals, when England beat Croatia and Czech Republic twice and narrowly lost to world champions Spain. Nineteen-year-old Josh King, who was part of the pre-World Cup training group, is included too.
"It's enough No 10s and we stick with the guys who were in camp," said Tuchel in a press conference. "The [last] camp was excellent and we were happy with the last two-and-a-half weeks we had together.
"The impact of all the players was immense throughout the whole camp, that's why we stick mainly with the group and all the offensive players.
"We have Josh King as a new player in there, but I want to see him on both wings. He's kind of an extra player. We can cover all four eventualities because Josh can play all four positions."
Palmer commitment to England not in question for Tuchel
Pressed on why Palmer, who has six goal involvements in nine Premier League games for Chelsea this season, couldn't break in, Tuchel reiterated the importance of what the previous squad "built" last time out.
"I guess everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception," said Tuchel.
"I said last time, he misses too many opportunities to impress. The players who were in camp built something extraordinary throughout these two-and-a-half weeks and that's why the credit goes to them, the trust is for them.
"It's not personal. We'll never assume Cole isn't in the mindset to come and play for his country but the competition is on and the players who were in camp did an amazing job and kept their place."
Asked if Palmer could find a way back in, Tuchel added: "The door is always open. Nothing has changed. We decided to do this camp without him."
Tuchel believes his approach with Palmer, as well as Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who also withdrew from the last camp and has been left out of this squad, sends a clear message about the impact withdrawing from an England camp can have.
"I think it's naturally coming through, without needing to talk about it. That was always the message since early when we took charge: it matters when you're in camp."
Tuchel sends out clear message with Palmer decision
Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett:
"In leaving Cole Palmer out of this squad, Thomas Tuchel has sent a clear message to both the Chelsea man, and to every other England wannabe, whatever your status and experience in international football.
"The message is stark - you have to be present, you have to be committed, you have to be humble, as part of a wider push for a positive squad dynamic. And for Tuchel, it is clear he feels Palmer has not done enough to prove he has those three qualities. Tuchel doesn't doubt his ability - eight goal involvements in 11 matches is a much better output than either Ebe Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White have managed so far this season. And yet they are both in, and Palmer is out.
"When he withdrew from the last England squad in September because of a minor injury, that was the final straw for Tuchel. Five times, since the German coach took over in January 2025, Palmer has been unavailable because of injury. On two of those occasions, Tuchel named Palmer in his squad, only for him to withdraw. He has only played three matches in the Tuchel era.
"If he had picked Palmer this time, and dropped another number 10 to accommodate him, that would have been entirely the wrong message that Tuchel wanted to portray to the rest of his squad.
"Tuchel expects the sort of loyalty and determination shown by John Stones, Jude Bellingham and - most recently - Declan Rice, who have all chosen to still spend some time with the squad, even when they weren't fit enough to play.
"So, the England boss has made an example of the man who scored for his country in a Euros final two years ago. And that should be taken as a warning to Palmer personally, and as a cautionary tale to everyone else who wants to be part of his England squad."
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Djed Spence, Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Garner, Declan Rice, Josh King, Jobe Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White.
Attackers: Rio Ngumoha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers.
What's coming up?
England face their final two Nations League A3 games this month, knowing a point against Croatia will seal a place in the competition's quarter-finals.
- England vs Croatia - Thursday, November 12
- Spain vs England - Sunday, November 15
