Thomas Tuchel questions Cole Palmer's desire to play for England after latest withdrawal
· Yahoo Sports
Thomas Tuchel has shockingly challenged whether Cole Palmer truly wishes to represent England.
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Palmer withdrew from the squad for the UEFA Nations League campaign, and it marks the FOURTH occasion he has pulled out after receiving an England call-up. This comes just three months after Palmer was omitted from Tuchel's FIFA World Cup squad, and the ex-Chelsea boss's statement is guaranteed to raise questions about the Blues star's international prospects.
When it was suggested to Tuchel that it appeared Palmer was not eager to join up for international duty, the England boss stated, via The Mirror: "It's hard to argue against what you're saying. For sure it's a missed opportunity. It's another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities.
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"I am his national team coach and I can only judge him on what he is delivering for the national team and he is just missing too many opportunities."
England take on Spain in the Nations League on Saturday at Wembley, with five players having withdrawn from the initial squad, including Palmer. Declan Rice, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo also dropped out.
However, Tuchel was especially pointed regarding Palmer who had featured for the full 90 minutes of Chelsea's previous four Premier League matches and also enjoyed the summer break after missing out on the World Cup squad.
Tuchel stated he understood the other withdrawals but made clear that Palmer's absence would not stick with him, indicating that those who reported for duty are now his priority — another pointed remark directed at the Chelsea forward's prospects. Morgan Gibbs-White cut short a vacation in Dubai to step in for Palmer.
Tuchel added: "Every case is individual, and if Declan calls me and explains to me...and I actually see him play v Brighton...I see straightaway on TV that something is off.
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"It leaves us with Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. All in camp. All desperate to be here. All available. And all ready to go, ready to stop a holiday after one day in Dubai.
"What sticks with me is the week that I have with the others. They (the absentees) lose that. That sticks. It sticks because we create something.
"We're just not here for a week and say: 'Oh, let's play a six against six and now a nine against nine, let's do a little bit of foot volley and then we play.'
"We actually work off the field, on the field, about our principles, on how to be in. This brotherhood is so important, and you miss out if you're not there."