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. Alongside them, young full‑back Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s promising duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have also withdrawn, prompting manager Gareth Gareth Southgate (note: the original text mistakenly mentions Tuchel) to call up Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as replacements.
Palmer, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad earlier this summer, featured the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s 2‑1 loss to Brentford after being recalled for the Three Lions’ matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. When Southgate announced his selections for the September and October dates, he also highlighted the standards that 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 Forest up. He’s ready to step up now," Southgate said.
"Being named in the squad is one thing; delivering the performances and the statistics that justify a regular shirt is another. Cole needs to produce those numbers and show the consistency to earn his place." After a season hampered by recurring injuries, Palmer told Sky Sports that he feels fully fit as the new campaign gets underway. "Physically I feel good – probably the best I’ve felt in years – but I know I can get even fitter with more minutes on the pitch," he explained.
He reflected on his injury history, noting that before a recent groin problem he had rarely missed training or games. "The World Cup was looming, and I was torn. If I didn’t play, I feared I’d be left out; if I played while not fully recovered, I risked worsening the injury.
It was a sticky situation, and I got mixed advice from various doctors. Since returning, I’ve been working daily to prevent a recurrence.
My aim is to stay injury‑free and give everything when I’m selected." Rice, who was a central figure for England during the World Cup despite playing through a niggling injury, has started each of Arsenal’s first five Premier League matches this season. However, his involvement with the national team has been called into question after recent reports suggested that both Mainoo and Rashford were doubtful for the squad due to fitness concerns.
Both youngsters featured in United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. Rashford, still managing a lingering hip problem that has been monitored since the World Cup, was visibly limping when he was substituted.
Mainoo completed 80 minutes before being taken off for tactical reasons, according to former United midfielder Michael Carrick. The 24‑year‑old had been part of the World Cup squad but did not see any game time, a situation Southgate vowed to rectify during this international break. "I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my responsibility to get him there.
It was entirely on me that he didn’t feature at the World Cup," Southgate remarked. "He behaved impeccably in training, and the competition for places was fierce – we also had Reece James in central midfield and Elliot Anderson showing great form.
Declan Rice is a unique talent, and we trusted him more than we trusted Kobbie. It was a tough call, and the injury he suffered before the France game meant we couldn’t give him minutes, which I regret." Sky Sports’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that while Rice’s injury is not severe, it requires careful management.
"From Chelsea’s perspective, it makes little sense for Palmer to be away on international duty for three weeks when he’s still dealing with fitness issues," Solhekol said. "Palmer has had a string of injury problems, especially a lingering groin issue last season that kept him out for extended periods. He wasn’t at his best then, but this season he’s started every game, even the loss at Brentford." Solhekol also pointed out the broader context of Palmer’s exclusion from the World Cup squad.
"Some critics wonder if there’s more to his omission than meets the eye. Tuchel left him out, giving Palmer a point to prove. Unfortunately, the first opportunity to prove himself was limited by not making the squad. Tuchel values long‑term camps away from clubs, and many of his summer picks were impressed by players during the autumn camps.
While Palmer’s omission casts a small shadow, the next major tournament is still two years away, so there’s ample time for redemption." In summary, England’s upcoming camp faces a reshuffle as key players withdraw and replacements are called in. The manager’s comments underline the high standards expected of those who earn a place, while the players themselves stress the importance of fitness, recovery, and seizing every chance to perform on the international stage. The situation also highlights the delicate balance national team coaches must strike between rewarding club form and managing players’ injury histories, especially as England prepares for crucial Nations League encounters.