Cole Palmer and Declan Rice have joined a growing list of England internationals who have stepped away from the Three Lions’ recent training camp, bringing the total number of withdrawals to five. Alongside Palmer and Rice, full‑back Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s promising youngster Kobbie Mainoo and veteran striker Marcus Rashford have all pulled out, prompting head coach Gareth Gareth Tuchel to call up Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as their replacements. Palmer, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup roster in the summer, was recalled for the Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia, and he completed the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s 2‑1 loss to Brentford.
Despite his involvement, the midfielder’s future in the national side remains uncertain, and Tuchel has been clear about what he expects from both Palmer and Gibbs‑White if they are to become regulars. "We can see the form Morgan is in and he ended the season very strongly, playing a pivotal role in Forest’s fight against relegation. We can see him stepping up now," Tuchel said after naming his squad for the September and October matches.
"It’s one thing to be named and get back into the squad, but it’s another to deliver the performances and numbers that justify a place in the shirt. Cole needs to show that level of consistency and impact to earn his spot permanently." Palmer, who endured a difficult injury‑laden season, told Sky Sports that he feels he has finally returned to full fitness as the new campaign begins.
"Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think 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 time.
"Before the groin injury I’d never really been injured – well, rarely. I would often come back and play when I perhaps shouldn’t have," he admitted. He described the dilemma he faced ahead of the World Cup: "Obviously the World Cup was coming up, so I was in a bit of a dilemma thinking, ‘if I don’t play I’m not going to go.
But if I play then I can’t play properly.’ It was a sticky situation and I didn’t really know how to handle it. I saw different doctors, got different opinions about what the injury was and why it kept recurring.
Since my return I’ve been working every day to prevent it from happening again. I just want to stay injury‑free, and when I’m on the pitch I know I can contribute." Rice, who was a central figure for England during the World Cup despite playing through pain, has also withdrawn. The Arsenal captain has started each of his club’s first five Premier League games this season, but lingering concerns about his fitness have prompted the decision to sit out the international camp.
The two Manchester United players, Mainoo and Rashford, were initially listed as doubtful for the squad. Both were substituted in United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Rashford left the field with a hip injury that the club has been managing since the World Cup, and he was visibly limping after his substitution. Mainoo, who logged 80 minutes against Fulham, was taken off for tactical reasons, according to former United midfielder Michael Carrick. Mainoo, a 24‑year‑old who was part of England’s World Cup squad but did not see any minutes, received a clear promise from Tuchel that his role would be different this time.
"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. "He behaved impeccably in training, and there was fierce competition in midfield – we also used Reece James, and Elliot Anderson has been outstanding for us.
Declan Rice is a unique talent, and we trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie. It was difficult for him, and the responsibility lies with me." Tuchel also addressed Rice’s injury, acknowledging that the midfielder was sidelined before England’s match with France, which prevented him from featuring at all. "He got injured before the France game so we couldn’t even give him minutes there, which hurt me.
Maybe he was more hurt than me but it was my responsibility and it’s my responsibility to reward him for that," Tuchel added. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in, noting that while Rice’s issue is not deemed serious, it requires careful management. "It doesn’t make sense from Chelsea’s perspective for Palmer to go away on international duty for three weeks if there’s a risk of aggravating his condition," Solhekol said. He highlighted Palmer’s chronic injury record, especially the long‑standing groin problem that kept him out for extended periods last season.
"He wasn’t at his best then, but he’s started every game this season, even when Chelsea lost away at Brentford. Some cynics might wonder if there’s more to his exclusion than meets the eye. Tuchel left him out of the World Cup squad, giving Palmer a point to prove. The manager’s camps are crucial to his selection process, and the decisions made last summer were heavily influenced by performances in those camps." Solhekol cautioned against over‑reacting to Palmer’s omission, reminding readers that the next major tournament is still two years away.
"It’s a black mark on Palmer’s name, but it should be kept in proportion. The focus should be on his continued development and fitness, not a single selection decision," he concluded. In summary, England’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches has undergone significant changes due to injuries and strategic choices. While Palmer, Rice, Livramento, Mainoo and Rashford have withdrawn, the inclusion of Gibbs‑White and Garner offers fresh options for Tuchel’s tactical plans.
The manager’s public statements underscore the high standards he expects from his players, emphasizing performance, fitness, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise. The evolving situation highlights the delicate balance national team coaches must strike between rewarding talent, managing player health, and preparing a competitive side for the challenges ahead.