By Adegboyega Adeleye
England manager Thomas Tuchel has described Cole Palmer’s latest withdrawal from the squad as a “missed opportunity”, saying the Chelsea forward has been absent from too many England camps because of injuries.
Tuchel spoke ahead of England’s Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, after Palmer withdrew from the squad following his recall to the national team. The 24-year-old was among five players ruled out of the international window, alongside Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento.
“For sure. It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities,” Tuchel said of Palmer.
“I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.
“And if you’re not in camp, there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it when you are actually on the pitch with me.
“So yes, it is a missed opportunity.”
Palmer had been recalled by Tuchel for the Nations League campaign after being left out of England’s World Cup squad earlier this year.
The Chelsea forward had started the new season strongly, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven matches before his latest withdrawal.
Tuchel said his understanding was that Palmer was playing through discomfort and pain and could not compete at the highest level.
“My understanding is that he is playing with discomfort and pain, and he cannot compete at the highest level with discomfort and pain,” the England boss said.
“So he withdrew and informed us, and Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding.”
Tuchel also rejected the idea that England’s international fixtures should be treated as a period for managing players’ workloads.
“We are not managing load. When I was in club football, I used the term ‘international break’ and, when you hear it from the other side, it is a totally different picture,” he said.
“This is not an international break, and I think that is what we have created now.
“It is a competitive environment, but it is also an environment that the players love to be a part of. That is what togetherness and brotherhood look like, and that is what we have created since last September in qualifying.
“We will never compromise on that.”
The German added that England would concentrate on players who are available and committed to representing the country.
“We will never let it creep in that we have a feeling players do not want to come. It is fair enough. We focus on the guys who absolutely want to play for England,” Tuchel said.
Palmer’s absence means he will miss England’s meeting with world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
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