Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is set to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming international break due to load management, according to reports. The 24-year-old’s expected exit is a major blow for the Three Lions, who had just reinstated him to the squad.
Palmer was the headline name to make it when Tuchel announced his 27-man squad on Friday, September 18, following his controversial omission from the World Cup. But the playmaker is now expected to miss England’s Nations League matches after playing the full 90 minutes of Chelsea’s chastening 3-0 defeat at Brentford the same evening.
It’s a precautionary measure for a player with a recent injury history that requires close management. Palmer had a frustrating season in 2025-26, with a niggling groin issue derailing his momentum and costing him a place at the World Cup.
The Englishman has since thrived under Xabi Alonso, recording four goals and two assists in seven appearances across all competitions this term. That revival, after the first summer break in his professional career, forced Tuchel to bring him back at the earliest opportunity.
But it continues a sorry trend, with Palmer missing several England camps over the past two seasons because of fitness problems. England start their Nations League campaign with a home tie against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, before travelling to Prague for a clash with Czechia three days later. The Three Lions then travel to Rijeka, Croatia, on October 3, before hosting Czechia on October 6.
Chelsea Winless Across Three Games
Palmer’s disappointment follows a troubling night for Chelsea, who lost 3-0 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday. The result extended Xabi Alonso’s side’s winless run in the Premier League to three games going into the international break.
The contest remained deadlocked until the 61st minute when Jaidon Anthony headed home after a corner was recycled by Jannik Schuster. Igor Thiago doubled the lead in the 83rd minute after a fast break, and substitute Fabio Carvalho added a final touch deep into stoppage time.
The Blues had plenty of ball but lacked the cutting edge to make it count. Chelsea had 59% possession but only managed 0.82 expected goals compared to Brentford’s 2.65. The Blues managed only two shots on target and completed just two of their 28 crosses, a meagre 7% accuracy rate.
Brentford also created four big chances to Chelsea’s one chance, converting three of them with clinical efficiency. Schuster was the highlight, with the centre-back making 12 clearances and three blocks.