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EPL

Cole Palmer Injury: Chelsea Star Withdraws From England Squad as Five Pull Out

By WAF News Desk 3 min read
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Cole Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad with a muscle injury, handing Thomas Tuchel an early setback ahead of the Three Lions’ opening UEFA Nations League fixtures.

The Chelsea playmaker is one of five players to pull out of the squad, alongside Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, and Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento.

Palmer’s withdrawal is particularly notable after the 24-year-old was recalled by Tuchel following his omission from England’s 2026 World Cup squad. He had made an impressive start to the new Premier League season for Chelsea and played the full 90 minutes in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday.

Why has Cole Palmer withdrawn from England duty?

Sky Sports reported that Palmer has withdrawn because of a muscle injury. The problem comes after a difficult 2025/26 campaign in which injuries repeatedly interrupted his season.

Palmer had appeared to put those fitness problems behind him at the start of the current campaign. He has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea this season, putting himself back into Tuchel’s plans after missing the World Cup.

The timing therefore represents a frustration for both player and country. England are beginning a new Nations League campaign and Palmer’s recall had offered him an immediate opportunity to re-establish himself in the national team.

Five players withdraw from England squad

Palmer is not the only significant absentee. Rice, Rashford, Mainoo and Livramento have also withdrawn from the squad because of injury issues, leaving Tuchel without several established Premier League players.

England have responded by recalling Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner. Gibbs-White has been among the Premier League’s most productive English attacking players in 2026, while Garner gets another opportunity to press his international claims.

The withdrawals come before a demanding Nations League run beginning against world champions Spain at Wembley. England will also face Czechia and Croatia during the extended international window.

What Palmer’s injury means for Chelsea

Chelsea will now be watching Palmer’s recovery closely. His importance to the Blues has only increased after his strong start to the season, and the club will want him available when Premier League football resumes after the international break.

No firm timetable for Palmer’s return has been confirmed, so the key question is whether the muscle problem is simply precautionary or threatens to keep him out of club action.

For Tuchel, meanwhile, losing five players before the squad has properly assembled changes the complexion of England’s first international window since the World Cup. Palmer’s absence removes one of the side’s most creative attacking options just days after his return to the squad had been one of the headline selections.

England’s immediate focus now shifts to the replacements and the opening meeting with Spain, while Chelsea supporters will be waiting for further clarity on Palmer’s fitness before the domestic season resumes.

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