Thomas Tuchel warns Cole Palmer after England recall snub

Cole Palmer has been left out of the England squad again, with manager Thomas Tuchel saying the Chelsea playmaker has missed too many chances to prove he deserves a place.

The 24-year-old has recovered from his injury problems and is fit to play for Chelsea, but Tuchel has not included him in the group preparing for England’s Nations League matches against Croatia at Wembley on 12 November and Spain in Madrid on 15 November.

Palmer previously left the England camp and has now been omitted from a second successive squad, raising further questions about his position in Tuchel’s plans.

“We have enough players who can play as a number 10, and we decided to keep the group that was in the previous camp because we were completely satisfied with the work we did together over two and a half weeks,” Tuchel said.

“All the players are desperate to represent England, and Cole is no exception. But we are talking about a player who is not in the camp now. What matters is what you deliver when you are here, and I said last time that he was missing too many chances to prove he deserved to be here.”

Tuchel has used the latest squad to broaden his attacking options, handing first senior call-ups to Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Fulham forward Josh King.

Jobe follows brother Jude into England squad

Bellingham, 21, has been selected for the England senior team for the first time, joining his older brother Jude Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid.

Jobe moved to Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland in the summer of 2025 for £31m after helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs. He has since established himself as an important player in Germany.

Tuchel said England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley had spoken highly of Bellingham and believed the midfielder had earned his opportunity through his performances.

“As he is the captain of the Under-21 side, the door should always remain open to him, especially when he performs at an exceptional level over a long period,” Tuchel said.

“That is exactly what Jobe has done. He has found his rhythm at Dortmund, made an excellent start to the season and become a regular and highly influential member of the team.”

Tuchel selected Bellingham ahead of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who he said was enduring a difficult period at club level. However, the manager stressed that the England pathway remained open to all young players who could demonstrate their ability.

King rewarded for Fulham form

King, 19, has been called up after scoring twice and providing one assist in the Premier League for Fulham this season.

He has represented England at several youth levels and has played nine times for the Under-21 side, scoring once. Tuchel praised his character and his ability to operate in several attacking positions.

The manager said naming 22 outfield players, in addition to goalkeepers, would give England greater flexibility during training, adding that King was an important addition.

England are second in Group C of League A in the Nations League, behind Spain, with three wins and one defeat. They need one point from their remaining two matches to secure a place in the quarter-finals, which will be played over two legs in March, with the finals taking place in June.