Thomas Tuchel has left Cole Palmer out of England's latest squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, with the Chelsea forward failing to make the cut after withdrawing from the previous camp. The decision, which Tuchel insists is not personal, is being viewed as a warning shot to other players on the England manager's long-list.
Palmer's withdrawal and return
Palmer, who has 14 England caps at the age of 24, was among the players who pulled out of the last international gathering. While Declan Rice also withdrew and has been recalled, Palmer has not. Tuchel appears to believe Palmer should have turned up for the previous camp, and the player and Chelsea decided to manage his workload instead.
Palmer was left out of the World Cup squad and had a point to prove, but he started for Chelsea in their last Premier League game before the international break and in their first Premier League game after it. Kobbie Mainoo, another withdrawal from the last group, has also not made it back into the squad.
Commitment to the national cause
The decision comes amid comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose long, emotional video farewell to international football appeared to split opinion. Ronaldo's commitment to Portugal was total, with no sickies or workload management, and he played 234 times for his country. The point is that there can be no picking and choosing when it comes to playing for England.
Palmer was available for the games against Croatia and Spain, but Tuchel clearly wanted to send a message that commitment to the national cause must be Ronaldo-esque. Even those who believe England should have an English manager are likely to applaud Tuchel's stance, as he enforces a standard of dedication for all players.
