Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster is the latest to chime in on the Cole Palmer discussion, urging Thomas Tuchel to avoid mistakes of the past.
With England’s World Cup qualifying campaign now in the rearview mirror, there’s nothing to discuss but the selection decisions facing Tuchel ahead of the summer’s tournament.
Tuchel’s record with England so far is insane, and the German hasn’t given many reasons for concern in terms of how the team is going to play. Rather, all the scrutiny is on who will play.
It’s far from straightforward. Tuchel has warned Palmer and others about competition in the squad, making it clear that no one’s spot is guaranteed. But Foster thinks the Palmer dilemma is one of the easier ones, and sends the German boss a clear message regarding the Chelsea star.
Cole Palmer celebrates during FC Bayern München v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Ben Foster urges Thomas Tuchel against Cole Palmer repeat
The Euros was an exciting time for England fans, with the Three Lions going all the way to the final.
It was some of the best football we’ve seen from the national team, but one decision made by Gareth Southgate throughout the campaign was frustrating, and not just to Chelsea fans.
Palmer was used sparingly by the former England boss — to put it mildly — playing just 145 minutes across the seven games. He would assist in the semi-final and score in the final, proving that the decision to leave him on the bench so much was the wrong one.
Foster wants Tuchel to learn from that mistake.
On the latest episode of The Fozcast, he remarks: “But we can’t do another World Cup like we did the last Euros, where Palmer was coming on for the last like 10 minutes and we’re playing Phil Foden all over the place and nobody really knows what’s going on.”
Tuchel has an impossible decision to make for England in the number 10 role, in terms of how much talent there is available. But the Chelsea man has shown time and time again just how ready he is for the big moments.
There’s no bigger moment than at a World Cup.
Foster wants a tighter rotation for England
It’s a problem that’s certainly not unique to England, but having so much quality can be more of a hindrance than a help sometimes.
With so many talented players available, the temptation can be to try to force them into a system and over-utilise the bench. That’s something Southgate was guilty of, and something Foster thinks will need to be different this time around.
As he explains: “I think we have to, it’s almost better to have a solid 14. A solid 14, everybody knows what’s going to happen, rather than a 16 or 17 where there are too many variables. You don’t want that, do you?”
The timing of Palmer’s injury is frustrating for Chelsea, but it’s also causing him issues on the national stage.
There isn’t much international action between now and June, and every England game played without the 23-year-old is another missed opportunity to show Tuchel why Palmer has to start for England.
He will be banking on finding form quickly when he does return, and forcing his way into the starting XI over the likes of Foden and Jude Bellingham. He can’t just be an impact player off the bench for another whole tournament — he offers too much.