Cole Palmer and Declan Rice are two of five players who have pulled out of the England squad for the upcoming fixtures. Alongside them, young defender Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have also withdrawn, prompting manager Gareth Tuchel to call up Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as replacements.
Palmer, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup‑era selection earlier this summer, was recalled for the Nations League matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia and went on to complete the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s loss to Brentford. After unveiling his roster for the September and October internationals, Tuchel explained the standards both Gibbs‑White and Palmer must meet to cement regular places in the side. "We can see the form Morgan is in – he finished the season strongly and was instrumental in keeping Nottingham Forest up.
He’s stepping up now," Tuchel said. "Being named in the squad again is one thing, but to retain a spot you have to deliver the kind of performances and numbers that justify the selection. Cole needs to do the same if he wants his shirt to stay on the team." 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 years – but I know I can get even fitter with more games and minutes," he explained.
He reflected on his injury history, noting that before a recent groin problem he had rarely missed training or matches. "Before the groin issue I was almost never injured. I’d come back and play when I maybe shouldn’t have," he admitted.
He described the dilemma he faced in the lead‑up to the World Cup: "If I didn’t play, I’d miss the tournament; if I played while not fully recovered, I risked worsening the injury. It was a sticky situation and I got mixed advice from different medical staff.
Since returning, I’m working daily to prevent a recurrence. My goal is to stay injury‑free and, when I’m on the pitch, to contribute fully." Rice, who was a central figure for England during the World Cup despite playing through pain, has also been battling fitness concerns. He has started each of Arsenal’s first five Premier League games this season, but the cumulative strain has taken its toll.
Sky Sports News reported that both Mainoo and Rashford were listed as doubts ahead of the squad announcement. The pair were both substituted in Manchester United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. Rashford, still managing a hip problem that has lingered since the World Cup, was visibly limping after being taken off. Mainoo, who logged 80 minutes before being replaced for tactical reasons, remains a promising talent; he was part of the World Cup squad but did not see any minutes, a situation Tuchel vowed to avoid this time around.
"I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my responsibility to get him there. That was entirely on me. He didn’t make a mistake at the World Cup," Tuchel said about Mainoo. "He behaved impeccably in training.
The competition in midfield is fierce – we have Reece James, Elliot Anderson, and Declan Rice, who is a unique player. We trusted them more than Kobbie in certain moments, which made things tough for him. It was my call." Tuchel also addressed Rice’s situation: "He got injured before the France game, so we couldn’t give him any minutes there, which hurt me. Perhaps he was more hurt than me, but it’s my duty to reward him for his commitment." Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in, noting that Rice’s injury isn’t severe but requires careful management.
"From Chelsea’s perspective, it doesn’t make sense for Palmer to be away on international duty for three weeks if there’s a lingering risk," Solhekol observed. He highlighted Palmer’s injury‑laden past, especially the chronic groin issue that sidelined him for extended periods last season. "He wasn’t at his best then, but this season he’s started every game, even the loss at Brentford. Some skeptics might wonder if there’s more to his withdrawal than meets the eye.
Tuchel left him out of the World Cup squad, so Palmer had a point to prove. The manager values long‑term camps away from clubs, and many of his summer selections were based on performances in those camps last autumn." Solhekol added that while Palmer’s omission from the World Cup is a blemish, it should be viewed in context: the next major tournament is still two years away, giving the player time to rebuild his reputation. In summary, England’s squad for the upcoming Nations League encounters has undergone notable changes due to injuries and withdrawals. The inclusion of Gibbs‑White and Garner provides fresh options, while the manager’s comments underscore the high standards expected from returning players like Palmer and the importance of managing the fitness of key figures such as Rice and Rashford.
The team will aim to balance experience with emerging talent as they prepare for the September and October fixtures.