Cole Palmer has been a revelation this campaign, and his dazzling displays have thrust him back into the conversation for an England recall. The Chelsea forward is arguably the most compelling candidate among the high‑profile players omitted from the World Cup roster.
Both Palmer, along with Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were conspicuous absences from Thomas Tuchel's squad when it was announced in May. Yet Palmer now finds himself riding a wave of form that few Premier League attackers can match, and many pundits are betting that his international door will swing open once more. The No.10 slot, which was heavily contested in the World Cup selection, saw Tuchel opt for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.
Palmer, however, has returned to full fitness after a groin problem limited him to just 26 outings last season. Since the start of the new term he has been a constant threat, contributing two goals and two assists in the league so far. Only his teammate João Pedro has a higher goal tally at this stage, while only Bruno Fernandes has recorded more creative actions and shots combined (25 versus Palmer's 24).
Palmer's resurgence also appears to coincide with a dip in form for Eze, whose performances for Arsenal have been underwhelming. Although Eze has featured in European competition and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League match this season, leaving a potential vacancy that Palmer could fill. Morgan Gibbs‑White is another name being floated after a strong opening spell, but Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the importance of "connections" between players. In that regard, the partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers looks hard to beat in England's attacking pool – even if it is not an all‑English combination.
This selection process will be the first major test of Tuchel's post‑World Cup strategy. He has publicly declared that England's DNA does not favour possession‑heavy, ball‑retaining midfielders. Can he continue to keep three of the country's most gifted passers – Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold – on the sidelines, or will he be forced to revise his philosophy?
Tuchel is not a manager who readily admits error. Like many elite coaches, he possesses a deep‑seated self‑belief that can appear as arrogance, and that confidence underpins his aura. If he does bring back any of the "big three," it may be taken as a sign that his earlier decisions are being reconsidered. The media would likely seize on such a move as evidence that his World Cup squad choices were flawed, yet he would also face criticism if he again excludes these talents.
In short, the situation is a lose‑lose for the England boss. Despite a red card in the recent Manchester derby, Foden has started the season in blistering form. He currently tops the Premier League assist chart for ball carries (two assists) alongside Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso, and his technical ability with the ball is arguably the best among England's options. Whether his style fits Tuchel's current plans remains to be seen.
Trent Alexander‑Arnold faces a tougher path back into the squad, even though England struggled defensively at the World Cup, with injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento exposing a right‑back crisis. Nevertheless, Tuchel has been clear that Alexander‑Arnold's attacking profile does not align with the defensive solidity he wants from his full‑backs.
A recall would represent a significant shift in the manager's tactical doctrine. In LaLiga, Alexander‑Arnold has started only two games this season, yet he has already logged more successful crosses than all but two defenders in the league (six). While his delivery quality is indisputable, Tuchel has consistently prioritized defensive reliability over attacking flair from his back line. England's defensive depth is also under pressure.
Injuries have sidelined John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White, creating several openings in the back four. James missed a Chelsea training session this week but has not been ruled out, leaving the selection picture fluid. Harry Maguire, however, appears unlikely to receive a recall. His outspoken criticism of his omission from the World Cup squad – made the day before Tuchel announced the final list – did not sit well with the England hierarchy.
While Maguire has been a constant presence for Manchester United, featuring in all four league matches and ranking third in the Premier League for ball‑carrying distance, the manager seems reluctant to reward his outburst. Newcastle left‑back Lewis Hall, another World Cup snub, is expected to get a chance in the Nations League.
Hall has been remarkably consistent, leading the Premier League in successful defensive third possessions (19) and ranking fifth for blocks (five). His performances suggest he could be a viable option if Tuchel needs a fresh defensive spark. The status of Kobbie Mainoo, Maguire's United teammate, is still uncertain. Mainoo did not feature at the World Cup and left the tournament disillusioned.
Sky Sports had listed him for the third‑place play‑off, but a back problem in the final training session ruled him out. Nevertheless, his club form keeps him on the radar for future call‑ups. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is making a strong case for a return after an explosive start, netting four goals in six league games, including a brace against Newcastle.
Tuchel cannot ignore that kind of output, especially now that Calvert‑Lewin's main rival, Ollie Watkins, has moved to the Saudi Pro League and is performing well there. Ivan Toney, who was a surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be selected this time. He faces a court appearance in Westminster during the international break on assault‑related charges, and his legal situation will dominate any selection considerations.
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has impressed in the Carabao Cup, scoring twice against Ipswich, but a senior call‑up is still a distant prospect. At 16 he has yet to feature for England's U21s, and the FA, like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, is managing his development carefully. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is nursing a foot injury, which opens a slot for a third keeper alongside the guaranteed selections of Jordan Pickford and James Trafford. In summary, the England manager faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding in‑form players like Palmer and Calvert‑Lewin, while staying true to his tactical principles and managing the egos of established stars.
The next Nations League squad will reveal whether Tuchel is willing to adapt his philosophy or continue to gamble on a new direction after the World Cup disappointment.