Cole Palmer "misses too many opportunities" to play for England, says Thomas Tuchel. The Chelsea forward was a controversial omission from England's World Cup squad in the summer, with an injury-hit 2025/26 season impacting his form. After a summer off, Palmer returned to a high level early this campaign, with six goal involvements in seven games for Chelsea, earning a recall for the Nations League matches with Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia - but he has withdrawn with injury.

It is the second time Palmer has been called up and withdrawn since Tuchel took charge at the start of 2025. Palmer has missed three England camps entirely with injury and wasn't selected for another. The 24-year-old has played three times for Tuchel, across two camps, and the England boss said his lack of availability is a problem.

"For sure it's a missed opportunity," said Tuchel in a press conference ahead of Saturday's game with Spain. "I don't blame him for it, it's just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries. I only want to rely on what I personally witness and see within my team. For that you have to be in camp."

Palmer played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea at Brentford before the break. Asked about the specific injury, Tuchel rejected suggestions of workload management: "He plays with discomfort and pain and cannot play on the highest level. Chelsea informed us. We're not managing load." Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol noted Tuchel sounds like he's losing patience, as Palmer has started every game but one for Chelsea this season.