Cole Palmer and Declan Rice have joined a growing list of players who have pulled out of the England national team camp ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures. In total, five players – Palmer, Rice, Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford – have withdrawn, prompting manager Gareth Tuchel to summon Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as their replacements. Palmer’s situation is especially noteworthy. The Chelsea forward, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup‑year selection, was recalled for the Three Lions’ matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia and went on to complete the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2‑1 loss to Brentford.
Despite that recent involvement, he has now opted out of the squad. Tuchel, when unveiling the roster for the September and October internationals, stressed that both Gibbs‑White and Palmer must seize the chance to cement regular places.
"We can see the form Morgan is in and he ended the season very strongly, playing a pivotal role in keeping Forest up. We can see him stepping up now," Tuchel said, before adding, "Cole needs to deliver the kind of performances and numbers that justify his shirt and the nomination." Palmer, who endured a string of injuries last season, told Sky Sports that he feels fully fit as the new campaign begins. "Physically I feel good – probably the best I’ve felt in ages – but I think I can get fitter with games and more minutes," he explained. He reflected on his injury history, noting that before a recent groin problem he had been remarkably durable.
"Before my groin injury I’d rarely been injured. I would just come back and play when I maybe shouldn’t have," he admitted. The forward described a dilemma leading up to the World Cup: "If I didn’t play, I wouldn’t go to the tournament; if I played, I wouldn’t be at my best.
It was a sticky situation, and I got mixed advice from various medical staff." Since returning, Palmer says he works daily to prevent a recurrence, emphasizing his desire to stay injury‑free and contribute whenever he steps onto the pitch. Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder who was a central figure for England during the World Cup despite playing through pain, has also withdrawn.
Rice featured in every one of Arsenal’s first five Premier League games this season, but the cumulative strain appears to have taken its toll. Sky Sports News reported that both Mainoo and Rashford were initially listed as doubtful for the squad, and both were substituted in United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Rashford’s hip injury, which the club has managed since the World Cup, was evident when he limped off after being replaced. Meanwhile, Mainoo played 80 minutes before being taken off for tactical reasons, according to Michael Carrick. The two United players were part of the World Cup squad but did not see any game time, a situation Tuchel vowed to rectify during this international break. "I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to get him on the pitch.
That was totally on me. He didn’t put a foot wrong during the World Cup," Tuchel said of Mainoo, praising his conduct in training and noting the fierce competition for midfield spots, including Reece James and Elliot Anderson. Tuchel also expressed personal responsibility for Rice’s injury woes, explaining that Rice was sidelined before England’s clash with France, which left the manager feeling he had let the player down. Chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports added perspective, describing Rice’s injury as not serious but requiring careful management.
He argued that it would be unwise for Chelsea to allow Palmer to spend three weeks away on international duty given his recent injury record. Solhekol highlighted Palmer’s chronic groin problems last season, which caused long absences and prevented him from performing at his peak. "He’s been at his best this season, starting every game, even the loss at Brentford," Solhekol noted. He suggested that some skeptics might wonder if there is more to Palmer’s omission than meets the eye, recalling that Tuchel controversially left him out of the World Cup squad, giving Palmer a strong motive to prove himself.
The commentator also pointed out that Tuchel places great value on extended training camps, which influenced his summer selections based on performances in the previous autumn. While the withdrawals are disappointing for England fans, the recall of Gibbs‑White and Garner offers fresh opportunities.
Gibbs‑White finished the season as a key figure for Nottingham Forest, helping them avoid relegation, and Tuchel believes his momentum will translate to the national side. Garner, a versatile defender, provides depth at the back and could see increased minutes if injuries persist. In summary, the England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches will be reshaped by the absence of Palmer, Rice, Livramento, Mainoo and Rashford. The manager’s comments underscore the need for players like Gibbs‑White and Palmer to deliver consistent performances to earn regular selection, while also highlighting the delicate balance between club commitments and international duty when injuries are a factor.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the Three Lions as they aim to maintain competitive form in Europe, and for the players who have been called up to seize the chance to impress on the international stage.