Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has pulled out of England’s squad for the first four games of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League due to a muscle injury.
The 24-year-old, who was left out of the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad, was brought back by England manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday, September 18, but he will now be absent for the September and October international fixtures.
On Monday, Sky Sports stated, “Cole Palmer is withdrawing from the England squad because of a muscle injury.”
Palmer completed the full 90 minutes for Chelsea in their 3-0 Premier League loss to Brentford on Friday, the very day Tuchel included him in his 27-man England squad.
According to Sky Sports, the Chelsea star had begun the new campaign strongly before this latest setback, netting four goals and setting up two more in seven outings for the club.
His withdrawal follows only days after Tuchel offered him a way back into the England setup, having been omitted from the World Cup.
While explaining why Palmer was recalled, Tuchel remarked, “Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.”
Palmer had spoken to Sky Sports about his fitness before the latest injury setback, saying: “Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes.”
He added, “Since I’ve come back, I’ve been working every day to obviously stop it from happening again. I just want to stay injury-free, and if I’m on the pitch, then I know what I can do.”
Chelsea’s official website had included Palmer in the list of club players summoned for international duty, mentioning that Tuchel had called him back for the beginning of England’s Nations League campaign.
According to the club’s schedule, England was set to host Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, at 7.45pm, before heading to Prague to take on Czechia on Tuesday, September 29, at 7.45pm.
England will then make the trip to Croatia for their third match on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off set for 5pm, before welcoming Czechia to Wembley on Tuesday, October 6, at 7.45pm.
With Palmer withdrawing, Tuchel must now reshuffle his attacking options for the opening Nations League fixtures, just three days after recalling the Chelsea forward.
Following the World Cup, the England manager had altered his squad in eight places, with Palmer and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold among the notable players brought back.
Palmer’s latest setback follows an injury-hit 2025-26 season, in which fitness issues played a part in his omission from England’s World Cup squad.
For the time being, the England camp will carry on without the Chelsea playmaker as Tuchel readies his team for their opening match against newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley.
