Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is dealing with an injury issue during the international break(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Cole Palmer is a victim of the football calendar, according to Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango. The PFA boss has come out in defence of the Chelsea star after he pulled out of international duty due to injury.
Palmer was not selected by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup over the summer after a season disrupted by injury, a decision criticised by many.
The 24-year-old has featured in every Premier League minute of Chelsea's campaign so far, only missing 45 minutes against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, and was included in England's squad for four Nations League matches. Following that decision, Tuchel said that Palmer had a 'point to prove' on his return.
However, Palmer withdrew from the camp with a muscle injury, with his workload to be managed during the three-week spell without Premier League football.
Following the news, Tuchel said: "I can only judge him on what he [Palmer] is delivering for the national team, and he's just missing too many opportunities."
PFA chief Molango believes that Palmer is a victim and that issues with players across Europe shows there are problems with the football calendar. Speaking at the FIFPRO performance summit in London, Molango expressed his concern.
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"When England see five players who need to withdraw when the single most proud moment a player has is to be called up for the national team, you just ask yourself, what’s wrong about the industry?" Molango said.
"You see people like Cole Palmer, someone who would have played four consecutive summers in a row had he gone to the World Cup, and you wonder why is he missing?
"He’s missing because he’s a victim of the calendar and that’s something that needs to absolutely trigger the alarm bells.
"For those who think that it’s only a matter in England, then look at (other recent withdrawals from European teams) Kai Havertz, Brian Brobbey and Kylian Mbappe and ask yourself – is that really the football that we want?
CEO of the PFA, Maheta Molango
CEO of the PFA, Maheta Molango has defended those who have been forced to pull out of international action(Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
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"Is it the football where the people who make us dream just cannot perform? For me it’s very worrying.
"What we’ve seen over the last few years is a system that’s sick, that’s ill, because it ultimately revolves around obtaining votes and power consolidation.
"It’s a defeat for football that people like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden miss out on the World Cup. They’re the people that you pay to see. People don’t pay for the journeyman Maheta Molango. People pay to see those type of guys.
"I want to see them perform at their peak and it shouldn’t be the survival of the fittest. Unfortunately, both on the male and female sides, that’s not what we’re seeing."
Palmer has come in for criticism for pulling out of the squad, but former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane believes he has bigger problems to overcome to succeed with the Three Lions.
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."