Breaking: Cole Palmer left out of England squad for Nations League games vs Croatia + Spain. 24yo Chelsea playmaker withdrew from last international break & despite availability has not been called into final camp of 2026 by Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer has suffered another major setback in his international career after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League clashes against Croatia and Spain.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was among the most notable omissions when Tuchel announced his 25-man squad on Friday, November 6. His exclusion has raised fresh questions about his relationship with the England manager, particularly after Palmer withdrew from the previous international camp because of a fitness issue.

What makes the decision particularly surprising is that Palmer is reportedly fit and available for selection. England’s medical staff reportedly checked his condition with Chelsea ahead of the announcement and received confirmation that he was ready to return to international duty.

However, Tuchel has decided to reward players who attended the previous camp and impressed him with their performances.

Speaking about Palmer’s omission, the England manager made it clear that commitment and availability during international windows remain important factors in his selection decisions.

Tuchel explained that the players who participated in the previous camp had built something special and deserved to retain their places.

“It’s not personal,” the England manager insisted, while making it clear that Palmer still has an opportunity to return to the national team.

The Chelsea playmaker has nevertheless enjoyed an encouraging start to the season, registering five goals and three assists in 11 appearances across competitions. His attacking creativity, technical ability and eye for goal have made him an important figure at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer’s absence means he will have to wait until another international opportunity to convince Tuchel that he deserves a regular place in the England setup.

Meanwhile, the latest squad includes exciting new additions, with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Fulham youngster Josh King receiving their first senior England call-ups.

England will face Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to take on Spain on November 15.

With two important Nations League fixtures approaching, Tuchel’s decision to leave out one of Chelsea’s most influential attacking players has already become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the England squad.

For Palmer, the message is clear: his international future remains open, but he will need to make the most of his next opportunity to win back the manager’s confidence.