Morgan Rogers has dismissed the idea that Cole Palmer does not want to play for England. Speaking after England's 2-1 Uefa Nations League win over Croatia, where Rogers scored the opener, he said the talk around Palmer is "a lie". Morgan Rogers was speaking after Harry Kane made a record-breaking 126th appearance for the men's side.

Rogers' defence of Palmer

Rogers' message was simple. He said Palmer "wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done", and added that the idea he is not committed to England has "nothing to do with England".

He also pointed to the personal side of it. Palmer "was in quite a low place with his injuries last year" and, as Rogers put it, he has to look at his body if he wants to play for 10 or 15 years. That is the part of the story Tuchel's latest omission does not fully erase.

Palmer has 3 Premier League goals in 10 appearances this season, and Chelsea have used him enough to keep his club case live. Rogers has 5 league goals in 10 appearances of his own, so this is not a teammate speaking from the outside.

Tuchel's selection line

Thomas Tuchel has kept the focus on competition and missed chances. He said, "We have enough number 10s and we stick to the guys who were in the previous camp because we were happy with the two and a half weeks we had together." He also said Palmer "misses too many opportunities to impress".

Tuchel's point is not that Palmer is out of the frame forever. He said, "Cole is always in our mindset but the competition is on." He also said, "I guess everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception."

The tension around the omission is easier to see because Palmer withdrew from the previous England camp in September citing a minor injury, but Tuchel has also made clear that availability alone is not enough. Palmer has featured in only 3 of Tuchel's 27 games since he succeeded Gareth Southgate, and the manager keeps returning to the same demand, do more when the chance comes.

England's next squad call will decide whether the discussion softens or gets louder, but for now the numbers show Palmer is still playing regularly for Chelsea and still trying to force his way back into Tuchel's plans.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →