Why Cole Palmer won’t play for England in Nations League despite Chelsea star being Lee Carsley’s former favourite
Cole Palmer will miss the chance to take his superb Chelsea form to the international stage with England this afternoon.
Last season’s Premier League Young Player of the Year has already set a marker to challenge for the top spot this season.
3
The 22-year-old leads the division’s assist charts with four, despite Chelsea having won just one of their opening three games.
Palmer, who also opened his goalscoring account for the new Premier League season, has continued to improve from strength to strength.
He would have been delighted to have the opportunity to reunite with Lee Carsley, with whom he won the Euro U21s in the summer of 2023.
Palmer was the decisive scorer in the 1-0 win over Spain after his free-kick earned the Young Lions their first European trophy in 39 years.
12 months later he almost repeated that feat with the England senior team with another goal against La Roja in the Euro 2024 final.
However, the Three Lions ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in what turned out to be Gareth Southgate’s final game in charge.
Palmer will now not have the chance to establish himself as the face of England’s new era this week and here’s why…
Why doesn’t Palmer play for England?
The playmaker was one of three players to withdraw from Carsley’s squad for England’s Nations League matches.
Palmer looked set to win his 10th and 11th caps for the Three Lions in the double-header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
However, he has also struggled with injury problems over the past month and after featuring at St George’s Park he was assessed and then sent back to Chelsea to continue his recovery.
3
England team
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Atlético de Madrid), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
“Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden will play no part in England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches,” the FA said in a statement.
“The Three Lions squad reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, Palmer and Watkins have returned to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation for ongoing issues.
“Foden has not turned up due to illness and will be unable to take part in the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.”
Palmer was spotted limping down the tunnel after Chelsea’s 2-0 first-leg win over Servette last month while holding his hamstring.
However, he has been passed fit to start all three of Enzo Maresca’s Premier League games and played the full 90 minutes of the Blues’ draw against Crystal Palace last Sunday.
His latest problem does not appear to be serious, and there is no indication that Palmer will not be available for the trip to Bournemouth.
However, another development came earlier this week, with Palmer being left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Europa Conference League.
The decision was reportedly made in an effort to manage workload, raising concerns that Palmer was overworked.
3
This may have factored into his decision to withdraw from the England team as well.
Both Three Lions matches will be broadcast live on talkSPORT and presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary for the matches will be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.
To connect to talkSPORT via the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, via your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Sports
