Cole Palmer will not be part of England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as he continues to recover from a muscle injury. The Chelsea star was forced to miss his side’s defeat to Arsenal after suffering the issue in training just ahead of the match, and now it has been confirmed that he will not be available for international duty.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca stated that he was unsure of Palmer’s chances to play for England in the upcoming qualifiers. “I don’t think [he will be fit for England] to be honest,” Maresca said. “His injury is from yesterday’s session. It’s a muscular problem, the scan is planned for Monday morning.” The injury occurred in training before Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal, which Palmer was unable to feature in. The club’s medical staff have planned further assessments to better understand the extent of the injury.
The 22-year-old was initially included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. However, Palmer did not train with the team on Tuesday, and it has now been confirmed that he will not travel with the squad. Instead, Palmer will stay at Chelsea’s Cobham training facility to continue his recovery while the national team prepares for their qualifiers.
An official statement from the England team confirmed Palmer’s absence, noting that a senior squad of 26 players would be joined by U21 trio Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Adam Wharton, and Liam Delap for a training session at St. George’s Park. The statement further mentioned that Palmer would remain with Chelsea for additional assessment regarding the injury sustained during his club’s match preparation. This absence from international duty marks a significant blow for both Palmer and England, as the talented winger had been a part of the squad selection ahead of the important qualifiers.
The match against Arsenal marked the first Premier League game Palmer had missed since April 2024. Known for his attacking prowess, Palmer has been in impressive form this season, contributing 14 goals and six assists in the league. However, despite his overall excellent performances, the 22-year-old is currently on a run of 10 matches in all competitions without scoring, which has prompted some concern over his recent form. While Chelsea will miss Palmer’s contribution, Maresca is hopeful that the break during the international window could be beneficial for the player’s recovery and eventual return to top form.
Maresca expressed his hope that Palmer’s injury, although unfortunate, could offer him a chance to rest physically and mentally. “We don’t wish for a player’s injury, but in Cole’s case at this moment, probably giving him some rest physically and mentally could be good,” Maresca remarked. Given the intensity of the season and Palmer’s workload, a break may provide a much-needed opportunity for the player to recharge and recover, both physically and mentally.
While England fans will be disappointed to see Palmer miss out on the qualifiers, there is optimism that his absence could help him return to his best once he is fully recovered. The England squad will face Albania and Latvia in crucial World Cup qualifying matches, and while Palmer’s absence is unfortunate, his recovery will likely be the priority moving forward. For Chelsea, the hope is that Palmer can quickly return to action and contribute to the team’s push for success in the Premier League and beyond.