‘He misses too many opportunities’ — Tuchel warns Palmer after England withdrawal

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England’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel attends a press conference at Wembley Stadium, north west London, on September 18, 2026, ahead of their Nations League fixture against Spain. (Photo by Brook Mitchell / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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England manager Thomas Tuchel has described Cole Palmer’s latest withdrawal from the squad as a “missed opportunity”, saying the Chelsea forward has been absent from too many England camps because of injuries.

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Tuchel spoke ahead of England’s Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, after Palmer withdrew from the squad following his recall to the national team. The 24-year-old was among five players ruled out of the international window, alongside Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento.

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“For sure. It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities,” Tuchel said of Palmer.

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“I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.

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“And if you’re not in camp, there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it when you are actually on the pitch with me.

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“So yes, it is a missed opportunity.”

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Palmer had been recalled by Tuchel for the Nations League campaign after being left out of England’s World Cup squad earlier this year.

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The Chelsea forward had started the new season strongly, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven matches before his latest withdrawal.

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Tuchel said his understanding was that Palmer was playing through discomfort and pain and could not compete at the highest level.

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“My understanding is that he is playing with discomfort and pain, and he cannot compete at the highest level with discomfort and pain,” the England boss said.

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“So he withdrew and informed us, and Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding.”

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Tuchel also rejected the idea that England’s international fixtures should be treated as a period for managing players’ workloads.

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“We are not managing load. When I was in club football, I used the term ‘international break’ and, when you hear it from the other side, it is a totally different picture,” he said.

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“This is not an international break, and I think that is what we have created now.

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“It is a competitive environment, but it is also an environment that the players love to be a part of. That is what togetherness and brotherhood look like, and that is what we have created since last September in qualifying.

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“We will never compromise on that.”

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The German added that England would concentrate on players who are available and committed to representing the country.

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“We will never let it creep in that we have a feeling players do not want to come. It is fair enough. We focus on the guys who absolutely want to play for England,” Tuchel said.

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Palmer’s absence means he will miss England’s meeting with world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

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