Cole Palmer withdraws from England squad with muscle injury

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League after suffering a muscle injury, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old was recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday, September 18, after missing the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad, but will now miss the September and October international fixtures.

Sky Sports reported on Monday that “Cole Palmer is withdrawing from the England squad because of a muscle injury.”

Palmer played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea in their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford on Friday, the same day Tuchel named him in his 27-man England squad.

The Chelsea star had made a strong start to the new campaign before the latest setback, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for the club, Sky Sports reported.

His withdrawal comes just days after Tuchel handed him a route back into the England setup following his World Cup omission.

When explaining Palmer’s recall, Tuchel said: “Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.”

Palmer had also 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 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 listed Palmer among the club’s players called up for international duty, noting that he had been recalled by Tuchel for the start of England’s Nations League campaign.

The club’s fixture list had England hosting Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, at 7.45pm, before travelling to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday, September 29, at 7.45pm.

England will then travel to Croatia for their third game on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm, before hosting Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, October 6, at 7.45pm.

Palmer’s withdrawal means Tuchel will have to adjust his attacking options for the opening Nations League fixtures, having only recalled the Chelsea forward three days earlier.

The England manager had made eight changes to his squad following the World Cup, with Palmer and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold among the high-profile returnees.

Palmer’s latest setback also comes after an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, during which fitness problems contributed to his absence from England’s World Cup squad.

For now, the England camp will proceed without the Chelsea playmaker as Tuchel prepares his side for their opening fixture against the newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley.

“Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer and Omari Kellyman have withdrawn from international duty this month after being called up by France, England and England Under-20s respectively.

“Fofana and Palmer will instead focus on their fitness at Cobham, while Kellyman has suffered a hamstring injury,” the club wrote on its website.