Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form this campaign, positioning him as the prime candidate for an England recall. The Chelsea forward is arguably the most compelling of the high‑profile players omitted from the World Cup roster, and his recent performances make a strong case for his reintegration into the national side.
Both Palmer and fellow England talents Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold were conspicuous absences from Thomas Tuchel's squad announced in May. Yet Palmer now stands out as one of the Premier League's most prolific contributors, and many pundits are betting that his international door will swing open once more. When Tuchel selected his No.10 options in May, he favoured Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.
Palmer, who missed large parts of last season with a lingering groin issue that limited him to just 26 outings, has returned to full fitness and his output has surged dramatically. His statistics underline the resurgence: two goals and two assists in the opening weeks, a tally only surpassed by his teammate João Pedro in the league so far.
In terms of chance creation and shooting volume, only Bruno Fernandes has out‑performed him, with Palmer registering 24 shots compared with Fernandes' 25. A further factor that could tilt the balance in Palmer's favour is the dip in form of Eze at Arsenal. While Eze has featured in European fixtures and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League match this season, leaving a gap that Palmer could readily fill. Morgan Gibbs‑White also merits consideration after a strong start, but Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the importance of "connections" between players.
In that respect, the attacking partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers appears more intuitive than any all‑English pairing currently on the pitch. The upcoming squad selection will be the first major decision in Tuchel's post‑World Cup era. Having publicly declared that England's footballing DNA does not revolve around possession‑heavy passers, he now faces a dilemma: can he continue to exclude three of the country's most gifted creators – Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold – without inviting criticism?
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, an aura that both fuels his confidence and makes him resistant to external pressure. If he does bring back any of the "big three," commentators will likely interpret it as a sign that his earlier choices were flawed. Conversely, persisting in leaving them out would also attract fire, creating a lose‑lose scenario.
Foden, despite receiving a red card in the Manchester derby, has started the season brightly. He currently tops the league for assists that follow a ball carry, sharing the spot with Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso. Among the English players at Tuchel's disposal, Foden arguably possesses the highest technical proficiency with the ball at his feet, though whether his style aligns with Tuchel's tactical blueprint remains to be seen.
Alexander‑Arnold faces a tougher road back, even though England's right‑back position proved problematic at the World Cup, with injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento and a late call‑up of centre‑back Trevoh Chalobah as a replacement. Tuchel has consistently argued that Alexander‑Arnold's attacking profile does not match his vision for the national side, and reversing that stance would represent a significant philosophical shift. In LaLiga, Alexander‑Arnold has started only two matches this season but has already delivered more successful crosses than all but two defenders in the competition (six in total). While his delivery quality is unquestionable, Tuchel has historically placed greater emphasis on defensive solidity than on crossing prowess.
England's defensive depth is currently under strain. Injuries have sidelined John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White, creating multiple vacancies at the back. James has missed a recent Chelsea training session but has not been ruled out, leaving the selection picture fluid.
Harry Maguire appears an unlikely candidate for a recall. His public criticism of his World Cup omission – voiced the day before Tuchel announced the squad – was not well received by the England hierarchy. Nevertheless, Maguire 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.
Lewis Hall, Newcastle's left‑back who was also omitted from the World Cup squad, is expected to receive a nod for the Nations League. Hall's consistency is evident; he leads the league in winning possession in the defensive third (19 times) and ranks fifth for successful blocks (five). Kobbie Mainoo, Maguire's United teammate, remains a wildcard.
He did not feature at the World Cup and expressed disappointment afterward. Although Sky Sports suggested he might be included for the third‑place play‑off, a back problem in the final training session ruled him out, yet his club form keeps him on the radar.
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is pressing hard for a recall after an explosive start, netting four goals in six games, including a brace against Newcastle. Tuchel cannot ignore that output, especially as Calvert‑Lewin's primary rival, Ollie Watkins, has moved to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and is thriving there with three goals and two assists in four appearances. Ivan Toney, a surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be summoned this time 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, though his lawyer maintains his eagerness to clear his name.
Arsenal's teenage sensation Max Dowman has impressed with two goals in the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich, but an early senior call‑up is improbable. At 16, he has yet to feature for England's U21s, a more realistic stepping stone as the FA, like Mikel Arteta, carefully manage his development. Goalkeeping options are also shifting. Dean Henderson is dealing with a foot injury, opening a slot for a third goalkeeper alongside the established Jordan Pickford and James Trafford.
In summary, Tuchel faces a complex puzzle: balancing his tactical philosophy with the undeniable form of players like Palmer, Foden and Calvert‑Lewin, while navigating injuries and the broader squad dynamics. The decisions he makes now will set the tone for England's post‑World Cup trajectory.