Thomas Tuchel has explained that Cole Palmer is still paying the price for missing too many England camps after the Chelsea star was once again left out of his Three Lions squad.
Palmer was left out of the World Cup squad in the summer and withdrew from the group for the extended international break in September and October due to injury. Tuchel warned it was a 'missed opportunity' for Palmer at the time, insisting he 'misses way too many camps' with other players moving ahead of him in the pecking order as a result.
Palmer's form and squad omission
Palmer has played almost every minute of Chelsea's Premier League campaign this term with his injury problems from last season seemingly behind him. But Tuchel made the decision on Friday to leave him out of the squad for upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, with Jobe Bellingham and Fulham's Josh King named ahead of him.
Speaking on Friday, Tuchel explained King's versatility was a key reason for his inclusion ahead of Palmer. Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White are also vying for the no10 spot, with Tuchel explaining: 'It is enough no10s [in the squad] and we stick with guys who were in camp because camp was excellent for the two-and-a-half weeks we had together.'
Tuchel's reasoning
'The impact of other players was immense and that's why we stick with the group and all the offensive players. We have Josh King in there but I also want to see him on both wings, he can play all four positions, that is basically the reason.'
Tuchel added: 'Everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception. But we are speaking about a player who is not in camp and on the other hand it counts when you are in camp and I said it last time, he misses too many opportunities to impress.
'It was a long camp, two-and-a-half weeks and the boys who were in the camp built something extraordinary. That's why the credit and trust goes to them. It's not personal and we will never assume Cole is not in the mindset to play for his country but the competition is on and the players from that camp keep their place.'
