Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form for Chelsea this season, and his performances have thrust him back into the conversation about an England recall. After being omitted from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad in May, Palmer now looks the most likely of the high‑profile exclusions to earn a place in the next England roster.
The trio of Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold were among the most talked‑about absences when Tuchel announced his final 26‑man list. Yet Palmer's recent Premier League displays have been nothing short of spectacular, and many pundits are betting that his resurgence will be rewarded with a national team call‑up.
In May, Tuchel opted for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze to occupy the coveted No 10 shirt. Palmer, who struggled with a lingering groin issue last season and managed only 26 appearances, is now fully fit and his statistics reflect his revival. He has already contributed two goals and two assists, a tally matched only by his teammate João Pedro in the league so far.
Moreover, his creative output – 24 shots and a comparable number of key passes – is second only to Bruno Fernandes, who has logged 25 attempts. Palmer's rise also coincides with a dip in form for Eze, whose contributions have been limited to the Europa League and the Carabao Cup, with no Premier League start to date. This opens a realistic pathway for Palmer to replace Eze in the attacking midfield slot.
Morgan Gibbs‑White has also been mentioned as a possible contender after a strong start to the campaign, but Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the importance of "connections" between players. The partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers offers a natural chemistry that could be difficult for any alternative to replicate. The upcoming squad selection will be the first test of Tuchel's post‑World Cup philosophy.
He has publicly argued that England's DNA does not favour possession‑heavy, short‑passing midfielders. Yet excluding three of the country's most gifted attackers – Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold – could be seen as a contradiction of that stance, especially given their proven ability to create chances and score goals. 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.
This confidence fuels his aura but also makes it difficult for him to reverse a decision without appearing weak. If he does bring back one of the three omitted stars, critics will claim it proves his original choice was flawed. Conversely, if he persists in leaving them out, he will face a different wave of criticism for ignoring form and talent. Either scenario places him in a lose‑lose position.
Phil Foden, despite being sent off in the recent Manchester derby, has started the season in fine form. He currently leads the Premier League in assists that arise from ball carries, sharing the top spot with Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso. Technically, Foden is arguably the most gifted English player with the ball at his feet, making his potential inclusion or exclusion a focal point of any squad discussion. Trent Alexander‑Arnold faces a more complex dilemma.
The former Liverpool right‑back was a glaring omission from the World Cup squad, and England's defensive frailties at the tournament have sparked calls for his return. Injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento further exposed the lack of depth at right‑back, while centre‑back Trevoh Chalobah was a late addition after Livramento's withdrawal. Nonetheless, Tuchel has consistently argued that Alexander‑Arnold's attacking profile does not align with his vision for England, favouring defensive solidity over crossing prowess.
This season, Alexander‑Arnold has featured in only two LaLiga matches but has already recorded six successful crosses – more than all but two defenders in the league – highlighting the quality he could bring if given a chance. The England back line is also dealing with a mini‑crisis.
John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White are all sidelined with injuries, creating several vacancies. James missed a training session this week but has not been ruled out, leaving room for other options. Despite these gaps, a recall for Harry Maguire seems unlikely after his outspoken criticism of his World Cup omission, which did not sit well with the FA hierarchy.
Maguire has, however, been a constant presence for Manchester United, ranking third in the league for ball carries. Lewis Hall, Newcastle's left‑back who was also left out of the World Cup squad, is expected to get a look in the Nations League. His defensive metrics are impressive – the best in the Premier League for winning possession in the defensive third (19 times) and fifth for successful blocks (five) – making a strong case for his inclusion. Kobbie Mainoo, Maguire's United teammate, remains a wildcard.
He did not feature at the World Cup and expressed disappointment, but a recent back injury ruled him out of a potential third‑place play‑off call‑up. Nevertheless, his form for United suggests he could be a viable candidate if he recovers.
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin has started the season with a bang, netting four goals in six games, including a brace against Newcastle. His resurgence is hard for Tuchel to ignore, especially as his main rival, Ollie Watkins, has moved to the Saudi Pro League and is flourishing there with three goals and two assists in four outings. Ivan Toney, a surprise World Cup inclusion, is unlikely to be considered now due to pending legal matters – he is scheduled to appear in court for an assault charge during the international break.
His legal situation makes selection problematic. Arsenal's 16‑year‑old prodigy Max Dowman has impressed in the Carabao Cup with two goals, but a senior call‑up is still a distant prospect.
He has yet to feature for England's U21 side, and the FA, much like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, is carefully managing his development and minutes. Goalkeeping options also shift, as Dean Henderson is dealing with a foot injury. This creates an opening for a third goalkeeper alongside the guaranteed Jordan Pickford and James Trafford.
In summary, Tuchel faces a delicate balancing act. He must weigh the undeniable form of players like Palmer, Foden and Calvert‑Lewin against his tactical philosophy and the need to address defensive injuries. The decisions he makes now will set the tone for England's post‑World Cup era and could determine whether the three omitted stars return to the national team or remain on the sidelines.