Cole Palmer has been in scintillating form for Chelsea this season, and his performances have thrust him back into the conversation for an England recall. Among the high‑profile names omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup roster, Palmer appears to be the most compelling candidate to earn a place in the next senior squad. Both Palmer and fellow England midfielders Phil Foden and Trent Alexander‑Arnold were conspicuous absences from Tuchel’s May selection.
Yet Palmer’s current Premier League displays have been nothing short of electrifying, and many pundits now believe his international career could be resurrected if he maintains this trajectory. The No 10 slot, which was heavily contested in the last squad, saw Tuchel opt for Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.
Palmer, who battled a lingering groin injury that limited him to 26 appearances last season, is now fully fit and his statistical output reflects his resurgence. 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 influence is evident: while Bruno Fernandes has recorded 25 combined shots and key passes, Palmer is close behind with 24, underscoring his growing threat in the final third. A potential opening for Palmer may also be emerging because of Eze’s underwhelming form at Arsenal.
Although Eze has featured in European fixtures and the Carabao Cup, he has yet to start a Premier League game this season, which could see Tuchel reconsider his options for the attacking midfield role. Morgan Gibbs‑White is another name being whispered about after a strong start to the campaign, but Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the importance of "connections" between players. In that regard, the partnership between Palmer and his close friend Morgan Rogers appears especially promising – they combine with an intuitive understanding that few Premier League duos can match, even if they are not an all‑English pairing.
This upcoming squad selection will mark the first step in Tuchel’s post‑World Cup era, a period in which he has publicly declared that England’s footballing DNA does not favour players who simply retain possession. The question now is whether he can afford to keep three of the nation’s most gifted passers – Palmer, Foden and Alexander‑Arnold – on the sidelines. Tuchel’s reputation for self‑confidence is well‑known; like many elite managers, he possesses a degree of arrogance that fuels his aura. If he decides to recall any of the "big three," critics may argue that this signals a concession that his original World Cup choices were flawed.
Conversely, leaving them out again would also attract heavy criticism, creating a lose‑lose scenario for the England boss. Despite a red card in the recent Manchester derby, Foden has begun the season in fine form. He currently tops the Premier League for assists that arise from ball carries (two assists), sharing the lead with Cody Gakpo and Julio Enciso.
Technically, Foden is arguably the most skilled English player with the ball at his feet, and his inclusion would add a creative spark to any England side. Whether Tuchel envisions him as a central figure in his tactical set‑up remains to be seen. Trent Alexander‑Arnold faces a more complex situation. Although England suffered defensive frailties at the World Cup – with Reece James and Tino Livramento both sidelined by injury – Tuchel has consistently argued that Alexander‑Arnold’s attacking profile does not align with his vision for the national team.
A reversal of this stance would represent a significant shift in philosophy. In La Liga, Alexander‑Arnold has started only two matches this season, yet he has already delivered six successful crosses, out‑performing all but two defenders in the Spanish league.
Defensively, Tuchel is grappling with a mini‑crisis. Injuries have kept John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Ben White out of contention, creating numerous vacancies at the back. James has missed recent Chelsea training but has not been ruled out entirely.
Amid these uncertainties, it appears unlikely that Harry Maguire will be recalled; his public outburst over his World Cup omission did not sit well with the England hierarchy. Maguire, however, has been a stalwart for Manchester United, featuring in all four league games and ranking third in the Premier League for ball‑carrying distance. Yet the manager’s preference seems to lean toward younger options.
Newcastle’s left‑back Lewis Hall, another World Cup snub, is expected to receive a call‑up for the Nations League. Hall’s consistency is evident – he leads the Premier 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.
While Sky Sports suggested he might be selected for the third‑place play‑off, a back injury sustained in the final training session ruled him out. Nonetheless, his early‑season form keeps him on the radar.
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin is also pushing for a recall after an explosive start, netting four goals in six games, including a brace against Newcastle. Tuchel cannot ignore such numbers, especially as Calvert‑Lewin’s main competitor, Ollie Watkins, has moved to the Saudi Pro League and is performing well there with three goals and two assists in four appearances.
Ivan Toney, a surprise inclusion at the World Cup, is unlikely to be considered now due to legal issues – he is scheduled to appear in Westminster court during the international break on assault charges. His legal team has expressed optimism about clearing his name, but the timing makes selection improbable. Arsenal’s 16‑year‑old prodigy Max Dowman has dazzled with two goals in the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich, yet an immediate senior call‑up is improbable.
He has yet to feature for England’s U21s, and the FA, much like Mikel Arteta, appears intent on managing his development carefully. Goalkeeping options are also shifting. Dean Henderson’s foot injury creates space for a third goalkeeper alongside the assured selections of Jordan Pickford and James Trafford. In summary, the upcoming England squad will serve as a litmus test for Tuchel’s evolving philosophy.
Whether Palmer’s meteoric rise, Foden’s technical brilliance, or Alexander‑Arnold’s crossing expertise can sway the manager remains to be seen. The decisions made now will shape England’s tactical identity in the post‑World Cup landscape and could either reaffirm Tuchel’s convictions or signal a necessary adaptation to the country’s abundant attacking talent.