Tuchel explains Cole Palmer omission as new midfielders earn England call-ups

England manager Thomas Tuchel said his choice to omit 24-year-old Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer from the squad for the November Nations League matches was based on the player’s recent lack of involvement in the training camp. Palmer will miss the fixtures against Croatia at Wembley on November 12 and Spain in Madrid on November 15.

Tuchel added that the squad already has sufficient options at the number-10 position and that he preferred to retain the players who attended the previous camp. He noted that Fulham forward Josh King, who can operate on both wings, and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham were given their first England call-ups.

"We have enough number 10s and we stick to the guys who were in the previous camp because we were happy with the two and a half weeks we had together," Tuchel said.

"I guess everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception. We are speaking now about a player that is not in camp. It counts when you are in camp and I just said last time that he misses too many opportunities to impress."

Jobe Bellingham joins his brother Jude in the squad, potentially becoming the first pair of siblings to start together for England since the Neville brothers. The full squad includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, and seven midfielders, with King and Bellingham among the midfield selections.