Cole Palmer Withdraws From England Squad After Fresh Muscle Injury

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League after suffering a muscle injury.

The 24-year-old had only just earned a recall from manager Thomas Tuchel after being left out of England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but his return to the international setup has been cut short by the latest fitness setback.

Palmer was named in Tuchel’s 27-man squad on Friday, September 18, but Sky Sports reported on Monday that the Chelsea star had pulled out because of a muscle injury.

The setback came after Palmer completed the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford on the same day he was recalled to the England squad.

The forward had made an encouraging start to the new campaign before the injury, registering four goals and two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea.

Tuchel had recalled Palmer after seeing a return to form from the playmaker, saying: “Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.”

Palmer had also expressed confidence in his physical condition before the latest setback, saying he felt “probably the best I’ve felt in ages” and believed further match time would help him regain even greater sharpness.

He had been working to overcome the injury problems that disrupted much of his 2025-26 campaign, which ultimately contributed to his absence from England’s World Cup squad.

Chelsea confirmed that Palmer will instead remain at Cobham to focus on his fitness, alongside teammate Wesley Fofana, who has also withdrawn from France duty. Chelsea Under-20 forward Omari Kellyman is also unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury.

Palmer’s withdrawal leaves Tuchel without one of the attacking players he had specifically brought back into the squad as England prepare for four Nations League fixtures. The Three Lions will host newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26 before travelling to Prague to face Czechia three days later.

England will then visit Croatia on October 3 before returning to Wembley to face Czechia on October 6.

With Palmer now ruled out, Tuchel will have to adjust his attacking plans as England begin their Nations League campaign without the Chelsea playmaker he had recalled only days earlier.