Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form this campaign, putting him at the forefront of any discussion about an England recall. The Chelsea forward is arguably the most compelling candidate among the high‑profile names omitted from the World Cup roster. Palmer, alongside Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold, was a headline absentee from Thomas Tuchel's squad announced in May. Yet his current Premier League displays are among the most impressive of the season, and many pundits are betting that his international door will swing open once more.
When Tuchel selected his No.10 options, he opted for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. Palmer, who missed large parts of the previous season with a groin injury that limited him to 26 outings, is now fully fit and his contributions have surged. He has already recorded two goals and two assists, a tally matched only by his teammate João Pedro in the league so far.
Moreover, only Bruno Fernandes has generated more chances and taken more shots (25) than Palmer's 24. A potential opening may also be emerging because of Eze's uneven performances for Arsenal. Although Eze has featured in European competition and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League match this season, which could see his place under scrutiny.
Morgan Gibbs‑White is another player making a case for inclusion after a strong start to the campaign. Tuchel frequently emphasizes the importance of "connections" between players as a cornerstone of England's style, and the partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers currently stands out as one of the most lethal attacking links in the league – even if it is not an all‑English combination.
The upcoming squad selection will be the first major test in Tuchel's post‑World Cup era. He has publicly argued that England's footballing DNA does not favour players who simply retain possession, raising the question of whether he can continue to exclude three of the country's most gifted passing and attacking talents – Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold. 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, a trait that contributes to his aura.
If he decides to bring back any of the aforementioned trio, critics may claim it signals a reversal of his earlier stance, suggesting he mis‑judged his World Cup selections. Conversely, leaving them out again would also attract heavy criticism, creating a lose‑lose scenario. Despite a red card in the recent Manchester derby, Foden has started the season in fine form.
He currently leads the Premier League in assists that follow a ball carry (two), sharing the spot with Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso. Among all English players at Tuchel's disposal, Foden is arguably the most technically gifted with the ball at his feet, though it remains to be seen how he fits into the manager's current tactical blueprint.
Alexander‑Arnold faces a tougher path back into the squad, even though England's right‑back position was a glaring weakness at the World Cup. Injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento have left many lamenting the absence of the Real Madrid full‑back, especially after centre‑back Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a late replacement for Livramento. Tuchel has consistently argued that Alexander‑Arnold's profile does not align with his vision for England, and altering that stance would represent a significant shift in philosophy.
The Liverpool‑born defender has only started two LaLiga matches this season, yet he has already logged more successful crosses than all but two defenders in the Spanish top flight (six). While his delivery quality is undeniable, Tuchel has always placed greater emphasis on defensive solidity. England also appears to be grappling with a defensive crisis. Injuries to John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White have opened several slots in the back line.
James missed a Chelsea training session this week but has not been ruled out, leaving the manager with numerous options. Harry Maguire is unlikely to earn a recall.
His public outburst the day before Tuchel announced the World Cup squad did not sit well with the England hierarchy. Nevertheless, the Manchester United centre‑back has been ever‑present for his club, ranking third in the Premier League for ball‑carrying distance. Newcastle left‑back Lewis Hall, another controversial omission from the World Cup squad, is expected to receive a nod for the Nations League. His consistency is evident – he leads the Premier League in winning possession in the defensive third (19 times) and ranks fifth for successful blocks (five).
The fate of Maguire's United teammate Kobbie Mainoo remains uncertain. Mainoo did not feature at the World Cup and expressed disappointment after the tournament. Sky Sports predicted his inclusion for the third‑place play‑off, but a back injury sustained in the final training session ruled him out. Despite that setback, his performances for United have kept him on the radar.
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is pressing hard for a recall after an explosive start, netting four goals in six league games, including a brace against Newcastle. Tuchel cannot ignore such form, especially as Calvert‑Lewin's main rival, Ollie Watkins, now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League, where he has already scored three times and provided two assists in four appearances. Ivan Toney, a surprise World Cup inclusion, is unlikely to be considered this time.
He is scheduled to appear in Westminster court during the international break to face assault‑related charges, and his legal commitments will keep him out of contention. The buzz surrounding 16‑year‑old Max Dowman, who has impressed for Arsenal and scored twice in a Carabao Cup win over Ipswich, does not yet translate into a senior call‑up. He has not featured for England's U21s, a more realistic stepping stone as the FA, much like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, carefully manages his minutes and development.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is sidelined with a foot injury, creating room for a third keeper to join the squad alongside the guaranteed selections of Jordan Pickford and James Trafford. In summary, Tuchel faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding in‑form players like Palmer, Foden and Calvert‑Lewin while adhering to his tactical principles and managing a spate of injuries across the squad. The decisions he makes now will set the tone for England's post‑World Cup identity.