Palmer misses ‘too many’ England games, says Tuchel

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Thomas Tuchel says Cole Palmer “misses too many opportunities” to impress after pulling out of England’s first squad since the World Cup.

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Palmer was one of the headline omissions from Tuchel’s selection for the World Cup as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals.

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The Chelsea playmaker seemed to be making a point to his international boss with a bright start to the new campaign.

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But he was one of five players to pull out of the England squad before they joined up for training.

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“For sure it’s a missed opportunity,” Tuchel said ahead of a showdown with world champions Spain on Saturday.

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“It’s another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities, and I don’t blame him for it. It’s just the fact.

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“He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I personally witness and what I see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.”

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Tuchel was much criticised for his role in England’s late collapse to lose to Argentina in the last four two months ago.

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Had his side held on to a 1-0 lead, they would have faced Spain in the World Cup final.

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Instead, Luis de la Fuente’s men defeated Argentina to back up winning the Euro 2024 final against England.

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Tuchel said trying to create danger against a Spain side that conceded just once in eight games at the World Cup is the major challenge.

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“It is so difficult, obviously, for every single team in the world to create chances against them,” the German said.

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“We want to, of course. We have a plan and we have ambition, and we want to be the ones who prove the opposite and we want to be the exception of the rule.

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“But they are at the moment a very complete team.”

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AFP

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