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 13:22, 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During Tuchel's tenure Palmer has been unavailable for selection because of injury three times and has withdrawn from a further two squads.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."
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
