Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form this campaign, putting him squarely in 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, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold were conspicuous absences from Thomas Tuchel's squad when it was announced in May. Yet Palmer is now one of the Premier League's most electrifying performers, and many pundits are betting that his recent displays will earn him a place back in the national side.
The No 10 slot, which was heavily contested in May, saw Tuchel opt for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. Palmer, however, has returned to full fitness after a season hampered by a lingering groin issue that limited him to just 26 outings. Since then his contributions have surged. He has already registered two goals and two assists this season.
Only his Chelsea teammate João Pedro has a higher goal tally in the league so far, and only Bruno Fernandes has produced more chances and taken more shots combined (Fernandes 25, Palmer 24). Those numbers underline Palmer's growing influence. There also appears to be a gap opening up for him because Eze’s form for Arsenal has been underwhelming.
While the Nigerian‑born midfielder has featured in European fixtures and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League match this term, leaving a potential vacancy for the England No 10. Morgan Gibbs‑White is another name being floated after a strong start to the campaign. Tuchel often emphasizes the importance of "connections" between players as a cornerstone of England's style.
At present, the most natural attacking link in the Premier League seems to be the partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers – a duo that already boasts a high number of combined passes and creative moments. Unfortunately, there is no all‑English equivalent to that link at the moment. The forthcoming squad will be the first major selection in Tuchel's post‑World Cup era.
He has publicly argued that England's footballing DNA does not favour possession‑heavy, short‑passing midfielders. If he continues to leave out Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold – three players renowned for their technical ability and attacking instincts – critics will claim he is clinging to a philosophy that no longer fits the modern game. Tuchel is not a manager who readily admits error.
Like many elite coaches, he possesses a deep‑seated self‑belief that can border on arrogance, and that confidence is part of his aura. Should he decide to recall any of the three omitted stars, some will interpret it as a sign that his earlier decision was mistaken. Conversely, keeping them out would also draw fire, leaving him in a lose‑lose situation. Foden, despite serving a red card in the Manchester derby last weekend, has started the season brightly.
He currently leads the league in assists generated after a progressive ball carry (two) and is tied with Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso for that statistic. Among the English players at Tuchel's disposal, Foden is arguably the most technically gifted on the ball, 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. England struggled defensively at the World Cup, with injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento exposing a lack of depth at right‑back. Nevertheless, Tuchel has repeatedly stated that Alexander‑Arnold's attacking profile does not align with his vision for England, and reversing that stance would represent a significant shift in philosophy. The Liverpool full‑back has only started two LaLiga matches this season, yet his crossing statistics are impressive – only two defenders in the Spanish top flight have delivered more successful crosses than him (six).
While his delivery is world‑class, Tuchel has traditionally valued defensive solidity over offensive flair from his full‑backs. England also appears to be in 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 a variety of options. Harry Maguire, however, seems unlikely to earn a recall. His vocal criticism of his World Cup omission – made the day before Tuchel announced the squad – did not sit well with the England hierarchy.
The 33‑year‑old has been a constant presence for Manchester United, ranking third in the league for ball‑carrying distance, yet his outspoken attitude may have sealed his fate. Newcastle’s left‑back Lewis Hall, another World Cup snub, is expected to get a chance in the Nations League. His consistency is evident; he leads the Premier League in successful defensive‑third possessions (19) and ranks fifth for blocks (5).
Hall’s form makes a strong case for his inclusion. Whether United’s youngster Kobbie Mainoo will be called up remains uncertain. He did not feature at the World Cup and left the tournament disillusioned.
Sky Sports had suggested he might be selected for the third‑place play‑off, but a back injury in the final training session ruled him out. Nevertheless, his performances for United have kept him on the radar. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is pushing hard for a recall after a blistering start – four goals in six 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.
Watkins has been prolific for Al Hilal, scoring three times and providing two assists in four matches, but his departure from English football reduces direct competition for a place. Ivan Toney, a surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be considered this time around. He is scheduled to appear in court in Westminster during the international break on charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.
His legal situation will undoubtedly affect any selection prospects. Arsenal’s 16‑year‑old prodigy Max Dowman has dazzled in the Carabao Cup, netting twice against Ipswich, but a senior call‑up is still a distant prospect. He has yet to feature for England’s Under‑21 side, a more realistic stepping‑stone that the FA, much like Mikel Arteta, is managing carefully to protect his development.
Goalkeeping options are also shifting. Dean Henderson is nursing a foot injury, creating space for a third keeper alongside the guaranteed selections of Jordan Pickford and James Trafford. In summary, Tuchel faces a delicate balancing act.
He must weigh the undeniable form of players like Palmer and Calvert‑Lewin against his tactical principles and the need to address defensive frailties. The decisions he makes now will shape England’s identity in the post‑World Cup era, and the eyes of fans and pundits alike will be fixed on whether he dares to bring back the three talented omissions or sticks rigidly to his current blueprint.