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 players omitted from the World Cup roster.
Palmer, alongside Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold, was a headline exclusion when Thomas Tuchel announced his squad in May. Yet the Premier League’s current top‑flight statistics paint a different picture: Palmer is one of the league’s most prolific contributors, and many pundits believe his international ticket could be reinstated.
The No.10 berth was heavily contested in May, with Tuchel opting for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. Since then, Palmer has returned to full fitness after a groin injury limited him to just 26 outings last season, and his performances have surged. He has already recorded two goals and two assists this term, a tally matched only by his teammate João Pedro.
In terms of chance creation and shot volume, only Bruno Fernandes has out‑produced him, with Palmer registering 24 shots compared with Fernandes’ 25. There also appears to be a widening gap in the form of Eze, whose contributions for Arsenal have been muted. Although Eze has featured in European fixtures and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League match this season, suggesting a potential opening for Palmer in the senior side.
Morgan Gibbs‑White is another name gaining traction after a strong start, but Tuchel repeatedly stresses the importance of player "connections" for England’s success. In that context, the partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers stands out as one of the most intuitive attacking links in the league, even if it is not an all‑English combination.
This selection dilemma marks the first major decision point in Tuchel’s post‑World Cup era. Having publicly asserted that England’s footballing DNA does not favour overly possession‑heavy midfielders, he now faces the question of whether he can continue to exclude three of the nation’s most gifted passers and attackers. Tuchel’s reputation for self‑confidence, bordering on arrogance, is well documented. He rarely admits error, a trait that both defines his aura and complicates any potential reversal of his earlier choices.
Should he bring back any of the "big three," critics will likely claim he is conceding that his original squad was flawed. Conversely, leaving them out again would attract fresh criticism, leaving him in a lose‑lose scenario. Despite a red card in the recent Manchester derby, Foden has started the season brightly.
He leads the league in assists that result from a ball carry (two) alongside Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso, and his technical skill with the ball is arguably the highest among England‑eligible players. Whether his style fits Tuchel’s current tactical blueprint remains an open question. Alexander‑Arnold’s pathway back to the England team is less certain, even though the right‑back position was a glaring weakness for England at the World Cup.
Injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento have intensified calls for the Liverpool star’s return, especially after centre‑back Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a late replacement for Livramento. Yet Tuchel has consistently argued that Alexander‑Arnold’s attacking profile does not align with his vision for England, and altering that stance would represent a significant philosophical shift. In LaLiga, Alexander‑Arnold has featured in only two matches this season but has already logged more successful crosses than all but two defenders in the competition (six).
While his delivery quality is undeniable, Tuchel has historically prioritized defensive solidity over offensive output from full‑backs. England’s defensive depth is also under scrutiny. Injuries to John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White have opened several slots at the back. James missed a Chelsea training session this week, though his availability remains uncertain.
Despite these gaps, a recall for Harry Maguire appears unlikely. Maguire’s public criticism of his World Cup omission – voiced the day before Tuchel’s squad announcement – did not sit well with the FA hierarchy.
Maguire, now 33, has been a constant presence for Manchester United, featuring in all four league games and ranking third in the Premier League for ball‑carrying distance. Still, his age and prior controversy make a return doubtful. Newcastle’s left‑back Lewis Hall, another World Cup snub, could finally get his chance in the Nations League. Hall has been exceptionally consistent, leading the Premier League in winning possession in the defensive third (19 times) and ranking fifth for successful blocks (five).
Kobbie Mainoo, Maguire’s United teammate, also remains on the periphery. He did not see any minutes at the World Cup and expressed disappointment afterward.
Although Sky Sports predicted his inclusion for the third‑place play‑off, a back injury in the final training session ruled him out, yet his form for United keeps him in the conversation for future call‑ups. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is making a strong case for a recall after an explosive start, netting four goals in six games, including a brace against Newcastle. Tuchel cannot ignore such form, especially as Calvert‑Lewin’s main rival, Ollie Watkins, has moved to the Saudi Pro League and is thriving there with three goals and two assists in four matches. Ivan Toney, a surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be considered now due to pending legal matters.
He is scheduled to appear in Westminster court during the international break on charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, and his legal team is focused on clearing his name. Max Dowman’s impressive displays for Arsenal, highlighted by two goals in the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich, have generated excitement, but a senior call‑up is improbable. At 16, he has yet to feature for England’s U21s, a more realistic stepping stone as the FA, mirroring Mikel Arteta’s cautious approach, manages his minutes and development. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s foot injury creates an opening for a third keeper alongside the guaranteed selections of Jordan Pickford and James Trafford.
In summary, Tuchel faces a delicate balancing act: reward in‑form players like Palmer, Foden and Calvert‑Lewin, while adhering to his tactical principles and managing squad harmony. The decisions made in the upcoming Nations League window will set the tone for England’s post‑World Cup evolution, and the inclusion or exclusion of these high‑profile talents will be closely examined by fans and pundits alike.