Cole Palmer withdraws from England squad as Garner and Gibbs-White called up
Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s Nations League squad with a minor muscle problem, forcing Thomas Tuchel into another late change before the Spain match at Wembley.
Everton midfielder James Garner and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have been called into camp after Palmer became the fifth player to pull out. Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice and Tino Livramento are also unavailable.
Quick facts
- Palmer has left camp because of a minor muscular complaint.
- Garner and Gibbs-White have been added to Tuchel’s squad.
- England begin against Spain at Wembley before trips to Czech Republic and Croatia.
- Palmer has scored four goals and supplied two assists in seven Chelsea appearances this season.
The Chelsea forward had been recalled after missing Tuchel’s World Cup selection, but his latest absence has prompted public debate over the timing of the withdrawal.
Former Wales and West Ham defender Collins said he believed Palmer may still be unhappy about being left out of the World Cup squad. Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Collins stressed it was only his personal view but suggested the player had “got the hump”.
Collins also questioned whether Palmer’s issue could be connected to workload management, drawing on his own playing experience. He accepted that the official injury explanation could be accurate, but remained unconvinced.
Palmer managed only 24 Premier League starts last season while dealing with an ongoing groin problem. He has nevertheless begun the current campaign strongly, playing in each of Chelsea’s seven fixtures and contributing six direct goal involvements.
Tuchel must now reshape his attacking plans for Spain, with England’s Nations League programme continuing in Prague against the Czech Republic next Tuesday.
The squad then travel to Rijeka to meet Croatia on October 3, before completing the break with a Wembley return against the Czech Republic on October 6.
