Cole Palmer and Declan Rice have become two of five players to pull out of the England squad ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Alongside them, full‑back Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s young duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have also withdrawn, prompting manager Gareth Tuchel to call up Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as their replacements. Palmer, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup roster earlier this summer, was recalled for the three‑match international window against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
He featured for the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s loss to Brentford, demonstrating that he is once again fit enough to compete at the highest level. When Tuchel announced his selections for the September‑October internationals, he also used the occasion to outline the standards required for players like Gibbs‑White and Palmer to cement regular places in the England set‑up.
"We can see the form Morgan is in and he ended the season very strongly, playing a pivotal role in keeping Forest up. He’s stepping up now," Tuchel said. He added, "Being named in the squad is one thing; delivering the performances and statistics that justify the call‑up is another.
Cole needs to produce that level of output to earn his shirt and validate his inclusion." Palmer, who endured a string of injuries last season, told Sky Sports that he feels fully recovered as the new campaign gets underway. "Physically I feel good – probably the best I’ve felt in ages – but I know I can get fitter with more games and minutes on the pitch," he explained. He reflected on his injury history, noting that before a recent groin problem he was rarely sidelined.
"I would often come back too early and play when I shouldn’t have," he admitted, highlighting the dilemma he faced leading up to the World Cup. "If I didn’t play, I risked missing 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 contribute whenever I’m selected." Rice, a central figure for England during the World Cup despite playing through pain, has also withdrawn. He has featured in each of Arsenal’s first five Premier League matches this season, but the lingering issues that plagued him in Qatar remain a concern for Tuchel.
Prior to the squad announcement, Sky Sports reported that both Mainoo and Rashford were doubtful. Both were substituted in United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. Rashford, still managing a hip problem that has been monitored since the World Cup, was visibly limping after his substitution. Mainoo completed 80 minutes before being taken off for tactical reasons, according to Michael Carrick.
The 24‑year‑old Mainoo was part of the World Cup squad but did not see any playing time, a situation Tuchel promised 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, emphasizing his responsibility. He praised Mainoo’s professionalism, noting his exemplary behavior in training and the intense competition for midfield spots, which also includes Reece James and the emerging Elliot Anderson. "Declan Rice is a very unique player, and we trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie. It was difficult for him; it was on me," Tuchel added, acknowledging the disappointment of Mainoo’s injury before the France game, which prevented him from featuring.
Sky Sports’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in, describing Rice’s injury as not serious but requiring careful management. He argued that it would be unwise for Chelsea to allow Palmer to be absent on international duty for three weeks given his recent injury record. "Everyone knows Palmer has had a lot of injury problems, especially last season.
He suffered a long‑standing groin issue that kept him out for extended periods and he wasn’t at his best," Solhekol noted. "However, this season he’s been impressive, starting every game, including the loss at Brentford." Solhekol also suggested that some critics might suspect hidden motives behind Palmer’s exclusion from the World Cup squad, but he reminded readers that Tuchel values extended training camps away from club duties.
"Tuchel places great importance on these camps; many of his summer selections were based on performances in the autumn camps," he explained. While the omission may cast a temporary shadow on Palmer’s reputation, Solhekol cautioned against over‑reacting, reminding fans that the next major tournament is still two years away. In summary, England’s upcoming squad has been reshaped by a series of withdrawals, with key players like Palmer and Rice stepping back due to fitness concerns. Their replacements, Gibbs‑White and Garner, now have the opportunity to impress Tuchel and stake a claim for future selections.
The manager’s comments underscore the high standards required to maintain a place in the national team, while the players themselves emphasize the importance of staying healthy and delivering consistent performances at both club and international level.