Cole Palmer was not involved for England over the break due to injury, but the starting spot should still be his.
England have cruised to World Cup qualification with two more emphatic wins over Latvia and Wales, but Chelsea’s main man wasn’t involved.
The groin issue plaguing Cole Palmer this season continues to keep him out of action, but that doesn’t mean Thomas Tuchel should forget the quality he can bring to this England side.
Thomas Tuchel and Cole Palmer in conversation during an England international camp.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
In his absence, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers got minutes in the attacking midfield role, but their creativity numbers just don’t stack up to Palmer’s.
Cole Palmer leads the way in chance creation among England players
England’s Euro 2024 campaign will be remembered fondly up until their loss to Spain in the final, but objectively, it left a bit to be desired.
In the group stages, the Lions scored just twice in three games, and were lucky that their opponents were even less proficient in front of goal.
Tuchel won’t want a repeat at next summer’s tournament, and Palmer could be the key to a more cohesive, creative attack.
Big chances created by English Players (Since the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season)📊:
◉ 24 – C. Palmer
◉ 22 – B. Saka
◉ 19 – D. Rice
◉ 19 – M. Rogers
◉ 18 – J. Murphy pic.twitter.com/hh3uG3g1zj
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 14, 2025
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Since the start of last season, Palmer has created more big chances than anyone in the England squad with 24.
Bukayo Saka managed 22 in less games, but other than him, Palmer is the best both in total and per game metrics. Better than Rogers and Eze, who could be his main competition for a starting berth.
England’s best line-up has to include Palmer
From a talent perspective, Palmer is easily one of the best available for the German manager, who needs to figure out how to find a balanced but potent front four.
Jermaine Jenas suggested playing Palmer off the left, but that feels like an unnecessary compromise.
Leaving the defence alone for the time being, there will be six starters for England in the midfield and attack. And there’s five players who feel like shoo-ins to make a strongest XI.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham have to be in that midfield, while Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane will obviously start in the front line.
That leaves one more midfield spot and a vacancy on the left flank. Palmer’s ability in central attacking areas is second to none, and he should be the fifth man to cement his place. Rogers and Eze can fight to play off the left, as can Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon.
With just two more international breaks in which to experiment, this is where Tuchel will have to make tough decisions. But leaving Palmer out of the line-up would be a mistake, as evidenced by his best-in-class creative output.