Xabi Alonso on Cole Palmer's England Omission
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is keeping a deliberate distance from the growing noise around Cole Palmer’s England exile, insisting he has not even raised the subject with his in-form attacker.
Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad on Friday morning, omitted from the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. The decision came after England’s medical staff carried out checks on the Chelsea playmaker, who had originally been selected for the autumn international break before withdrawing with a minor injury.
The consequence is stark. Palmer has not played for England since the March camp, having also been overlooked for Tuchel’s World Cup squad in the summer. For a player who has become central to Chelsea’s attacking play, the gap is starting to feel significant.
Asked in his Friday press conference whether he had spoken to Palmer about the latest snub, Alonso was blunt.
“No, we have not spoken about that,” he said, before quickly steering the conversation back to club matters. “We are very happy with Cole. He is connecting very well with the other attackers and is helping the team.”
While Alonso shields his player, Tuchel has been far more direct in his assessment. The England manager repeated his view that Palmer has not done enough, often enough, when given the chance on the international stage.
“Everyone is desperate to play for England, and Cole is no exception,” Tuchel said. “But, again, what I said last time: he misses too many opportunities to impress. Two-and-a-half weeks was a long time [to miss]. The door is always open, but nothing has changed, and we decided [to go] without him.”
It is a clear challenge laid down to a player whose club form has frequently outstripped his international standing. Tuchel’s message is simple: when Palmer is in camp, he must make those days count.
Alonso, for his part, is determined not to be seen as pulling in the opposite direction to the national team. The Spaniard stressed he will not encourage any of his players to sit out international duty when they are healthy.
“No. I never tell,” he said, when asked if he would advise players to miss international breaks. “When a player is fully fit, he's selectable. When he's not fit, we try to give the national team reasonable information to decide together. Sometimes it's not good for the player.”
The line is carefully drawn. Alonso will protect his squad when injuries are involved, but he will not stand between them and their countries. For Palmer, that means the onus is clear: keep delivering for Chelsea and force Tuchel to reconsider.
Until then, one of the Premier League’s most influential attackers remains on the outside of England’s plans, waiting for a door that Tuchel insists is open, but currently stays firmly shut.
