BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Roy Keane has criticised Cole Palmer over his decision to withdraw from England’s squad and claims the Chelsea midfielder ‘has too many bad habits’.
Palmer was initially selected for England’s Nations League fixtures but then withdrew from the squad alongside Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Tino Livramento.
The Chelsea midfielder, who was not included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the World Cup in the summer, struggled with a groin injury for a large past of last season and said during a live stream on Twitch last week that ‘I had one leg for 10 months’.
Speaking before England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley on Saturday night, Keane was dismissive of Palmer’s influence when asked about the Chelsea midfielder’s absence from the Tuchel’s squad.
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‘Well, I think, whatever his injuries, and if he is injured… I watched his last game against Brentford and if you think he’s going to get England to another level and win trophies, forget about it,’ Keane told ITV.
‘I like Palmer, he’s a talented boy, but he’s got far too many bad habits, for me.’
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Earlier this week, Tuchel warned Palmer that he has missed ‘too many opportunities’ with England.
[OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 24: Erling Haaland of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion on September 24, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 24: Erling Haaland of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion on September 24, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)](https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/25/erling-haaland-u-turn-made-man-city-found-guilty-premier-league-charges-29654669/)
‘He misses too many camps,’ Tuchel said.
‘That’s the overall headline. We have a lot of invitations and he couldn’t make this one. It is what it is. I am not ready to focus on players who are not here. The players that are here have my full attention.
‘It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities. I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact.
‘He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.’
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The Premier League trophy banner on display at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, home to Manchester City. Manchester City have been found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, according to reports. Picture date: Friday September 25, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Gary Oakley/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
The Premier League trophy banner on display at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, home to Manchester City. Manchester City have been found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, according to reports. Picture date: Friday September 25, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Gary Oakley/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.