"misses way too many camps" was Thomas Tuchel's verdict, quoted by dailymail.com, and it now looks less like a throwaway line than a selection standard. England have named their squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, and Cole Palmer is out again after medical checks this week. The omission keeps the focus on availability, not just talent.

Palmer's case was never straightforward because the discussion before the announcement cut both ways. Some reports suggested he was still being considered, while others framed the squad more firmly without him. What is settled now is the decision itself, and it lines up with Tuchel's public irritation over repeated absences.

Tuchel's warning is now a real selection line

Tuchel had already signalled where he stood. Quoted by standard.co.uk, he said Palmer "misses too many camps". The Daily Mail version, "misses way too many camps", carried the same message with even less room for interpretation.

That makes this omission feel significant. Managers say plenty before squad announcements, but this time Tuchel's complaint has been followed by a concrete call. Palmer was left out after medical checks, so the issue cannot be reduced to form alone, and the sources around the squad do not support that anyway.

There is still a fair argument that Palmer has done enough on the pitch to stay in the conversation. For Chelsea, he has 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 Premier League appearances this season. His recent league rating stands at 7.1.

Those numbers are decent, especially given how few matches they cover. They just were not enough to outweigh the concern around whether he can be relied upon to get through camps and be available when Tuchel needs him.

The attacking squeeze around Palmer

Palmer is not the only big name missing. Phil Foden was also omitted, while Jobe Bellingham has been handed a debut call-up. That points to a wider reshuffle in England's attacking group rather than one isolated decision.

It also suggests the margin for error is small. When a player has fitness questions around him or keeps missing international windows, he is giving the manager an easy reason to look elsewhere. Tuchel has done exactly that here.

The squad story was not limited to the forward line either, with Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Jordan Henderson also left out. Still, Palmer remains the headline because Tuchel had already drawn attention to his camp absences before acting on them.

England's next two matches

The immediate test for Tuchel's selection comes quickly. England face Croatia at Wembley on Thursday November 12 before travelling to Spain on November 15.

Palmer's omission will keep the debate going because his club output is still respectable and some of the pre-squad reporting hinted he might yet make it. But Tuchel has now made his position much clearer through the squad list than through any quote. Palmer is out for the games against Croatia and Spain.

FAQ

Why was Cole Palmer left out of the England squad?

Cole Palmer was left out after medical checks during the week, and the decision also lands against Thomas Tuchel's earlier frustration over repeated absences from camps. Palmer's form for Chelsea has still been decent, with 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 Premier League appearances, so this looks tied to availability and trust as much as output.

Is Cole Palmer out of England because of form or fitness?

The evidence points to more than form alone. Palmer has produced 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 Premier League games for Chelsea, and he has a 7.1 recent league rating. But he was omitted after medical checks, and Tuchel had already warned that he "misses way too many camps," which puts fitness and availability right at the centre of the call.

Who else missed out when Thomas Tuchel named the England squad?

Phil Foden was also omitted when Tuchel named his squad for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. Jobe Bellingham received a debut call-up, while Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Jordan Henderson were not included either.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 7 outlets. How we work →