Cole Palmer has burst onto the scene for Chelsea this season, delivering an eye‑catching start that has been hard to ignore. In just six league outings he has already found the net four times and set up two more, while his interplay with fellow England internationals Morgan Rogers and João Pedro has added a fresh dimension to Chelsea's attack.
Thomas Tuchel highlighted the resurgence in his press briefing, noting, "Cole has his numbers back – assists, decisive goals. He clearly has something to prove." The England manager had little choice but to bring Palmer back into the fold after the player was omitted from the World Cup roster.
That omission may have been a hidden blessing. Palmer spent the previous season nursing an injury and, after a demanding Club World Cup campaign, looked a shadow of his former self.
Now, fully rested and rejuvenated, he appears to be edging back toward his peak form. The question on many pundits' minds is whether even a less-than-perfect Palmer could have made a difference for England during the North American tournament. While some will argue his case, the broader issue now revolves around how Tuchel intends to deploy Palmer moving forward. At the World Cup, Jude Bellingham cemented his place as the team's number ten, dazzling fans with his performances for Real Madrid and emerging as one of the competition's standout players.
On the right flank, Bukayo Saka has returned to full fitness and is delivering consistently for Arsenal, while Anthony Gordon has thrived on the left wing for Barcelona after impressing during the summer internationals. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers has become a pivotal figure in Tuchel's plans.
Finding a way to combine the two Chelsea attackers – Palmer and Rogers – on the pitch will be a fascinating tactical puzzle for the England boss, who now enjoys a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal. Kobbie Mainoo's recall also raises eyebrows.
He was the only outfield player who did not feature at all during England's World Cup campaign, yet Tuchel has pledged to give the Manchester United midfielder a genuine opportunity this time around. "I expect him to be on the pitch and it's my duty to get him on the pitch," Tuchel said. "That was totally on me.
He didn't put a foot wrong during the World Cup. He was exemplary in training, and there was fierce competition – we also had Reece James in central midfield, Elliot Anderson performing brilliantly, and Declan Rice offering a unique skill set. We trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie, which was difficult for him, but the responsibility lies with me." The midfield battle in England's squad remains intense, yet Mainoo's inclusion signals that Tuchel sees a role for him, especially during a three‑week camp that includes four matches, offering ample chances to prove his worth.
Trent Alexander‑Arnold's selection also underscores a dramatic shift in Tuchel's philosophy. Previously, the German coach had dismissed the Liverpool‑turned‑Real Madrid right‑back as unsuitable for his system, even passing over him when Tino Livramento suffered a pre‑World Cup injury. Critics repeatedly questioned why the technically gifted 27‑year‑old was overlooked, especially as Tuchel expressed doubts about the Three Lions' ability to retain possession under pressure.
Alexander‑Arnold, who had not been called up since the summer of 2025, now finds himself back in the squad. When asked about the change, Tuchel responded, "He was never non‑selectable. Now is his chance to show up, come to camp, and be the best version of himself.
He comes as a right‑back for us." His contributions at Real Madrid this season have been modest – one assist in five appearances – and his brief spell in midfield during the Champions League victory over Inter Milan highlighted the ongoing dilemma managers face in maximizing his potential. Jose Mourinho, Real's manager, praised Alexander‑Arnold's work ethic when deploying him centrally due to injuries, but also noted occasional loss of possession and the physical demands of the role. Last season, Alexander‑Arnold competed with Dani Carvajal for the right‑back spot; this season, the newly signed Denzel Dumfries adds another layer of competition.
While his technical prowess remains unquestioned, defensive concerns linger, and how Tuchel integrates him will be a storyline to watch throughout the international break. Tuchel has also been vocal about England's "DNA" after the defeat to Argentina, suggesting the squad struggled to manage high‑pressure situations with the kind of possession dominance exhibited by teams like Spain.
The return of technically gifted players such as Palmer and Alexander‑Arnold appears to be an acknowledgement that England may have previously neglected some of its most skillful assets. Yet, in a recent press conference, Tuchel hinted that perhaps embracing a more chaotic, less controlled style could benefit the team. "The more I reflect on the Argentina loss, the more I see the value in playing to our strengths, like we did in the second half against Croatia or the first half against France," he said.
"Football is about adapting. Sometimes a lack of rigid control can be unsettling for a coach, but the 6‑4 match against France showed that fans love that kind of freedom. Maybe we need to compromise on our desire for control, accept more chaos, and let it bring out the best in our players. We'll adjust our style but always prioritize the strengths of the squad." This philosophical shift suggests Tuchel may be willing to sacrifice some structural rigidity in favor of allowing his talented attackers more freedom to express themselves.
Morgan Gibbs‑White, who enjoyed a prolific season with Nottingham Forest – scoring 15 Premier League goals and providing four assists – is understandably disappointed by his omission. The 26‑year‑old continues to face stiff competition for the number ten role, now contending with the likes of Bellingham, Rogers, and Eberechi Eze. Tuchel admitted, "It makes no sense to choose three, four, or five number‑tens. It just doesn't help anyone.
We can see the form Morgan is in; he ended the season strongly and was pivotal in Forest's fight against relegation." Yet Gibbs‑White may wonder why Eze, who has not started a Premier League match this season and has contributed roughly half as many goal involvements, was preferred. The answer likely lies in the manager's broader tactical blueprint and the need for balance across the squad.
Phil Foden, another high‑profile exclusion, finds himself on the outside looking in. The Manchester City star was part of Tuchel's squads in March and again in November 2025, but a red card in the recent Manchester derby has complicated his situation. With the manager now turning to other technically gifted options like Alexander‑Arnold, Foden faces a steep battle to reclaim his place, especially given the depth England enjoys in midfield and attack. Below is the current England squad as announced by Tuchel: Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United) Defenders: Trent Alexander‑Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis‑Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth) Forwards: Dominic Calvert‑Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) England's upcoming Nations League fixtures are scheduled as follows: Saturday 26 September – Spain (home) – 19:45 BST Tuesday 29 September – Czech Republic (away) – 19:45 BST Saturday 3 October – Croatia (away) – 17:00 BST Tuesday 6 October – Czech Republic (home) – 19:45 BST Tuchel's evolving approach, his willingness to re‑integrate previously sidelined talents, and his openness to a more fluid, chaotic brand of football suggest an exciting, albeit uncertain, road ahead for the Three Lions.
The next few weeks will reveal whether these strategic adjustments translate into success on the pitch or whether the lack of rigid structure will expose new vulnerabilities.