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Three England stars are already set to pull out of Thomas Tuchel's squad ahead of a three-week international break. The Three Lions will take on Spain, Croatia and Czechia twice in Nations League games over the next few weeks in their first matches together since coming third in the 2026 World Cup.
Now, attention will naturally turn to the 2028 European Championship, which will be hosted across nine stadiums in eight cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, giving the former an ideal opportunity to end a 60-year trophy drought.
But early preparations for that tournament will commence this week without three high-profile Premier League players in their ranks, including one that Tuchel said had 'a point to prove' and must 'perform' after missing the World Cup.
Three England Stars Set To Miss Three-Week International Break
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Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer, having picked up a hamstring injury, is set to be sidelined. Meanwhile, Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are also no longer expected to play a part in the national team.
He played the full 90 minutes of the Blues' 3-0 defeat by Brentford on Friday evening but now, according to The Athletic, is set to skip England's upcoming games to manage his workload.
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EPL-Alan Shearer Greatest England 11
EPL-Alan Shearer Greatest England 11
As for Rashford - who has been a regular fixture in Tuchel's squad since he took charge last January - he has been battling a hip issue since the World Cup, and is likely to withdraw from England duty to have that managed.
He started Man United's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday afternoon, with manager Michael Carrick revealing after that he was substituted in the second-half due to an injury concern.
Mainoo is also struggling with an issue and is expected to pull out too. The 21-year-old was in the squad at the World Cup, but did not play a single minute.
Cole Palmer Has Work To Do If He Wants To Rebuild Bridges With Tuchel
chelsea cole palmer
When naming Palmer in his latest squad, Tuchel reiterated: "It is one thing to be nominated, like with Cole, and getting your ticket back in the squad, but it's another thing to perform for England.
The German added: "I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself."
Palmer has four goals and two assists in seven games this season after struggling during the last campaign through injury. He battled thigh and hamstring problems as he returned 11 goals and three assists in 34 games, revealing on a live stream last week: "I had one leg for 10 months, f***ing hell, what do you want me to do?"