Morgan Rogers has rejected suggestions that Cole Palmer does not want to play for England, calling the speculation “a lie” and “nonsense”.
Rogers scored England’s opening goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 Uefa Nations League victory over Croatia at Wembley, while Harry Kane added a penalty on his record-breaking 126th appearance for the men’s side.
Palmer, Rogers’ Chelsea team-mate and childhood friend, was not selected after England manager Thomas Tuchel said he “misses too many chances to impress”. The 24-year-old was also omitted from the World Cup squad and withdrew from England’s previous camp in September because of a minor injury.
Asked about the criticism after the Croatia game, Rogers, also 24, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He wants to be here.
“He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done.
“He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself.
“But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10 or 15 years, he also has to manage himself. If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it.
“It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It’s a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England. It’s a lie.
“You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don’t get it and he doesn’t get it.”
Palmer’s limited opportunities under Tuchel
Palmer has won 14 England caps since making his debut three years ago, scoring two goals and providing one assist. One of those goals came in England’s Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
His international record contrasts with his domestic output of 50 Premier League goals and 24 assists. He was named England’s men’s player of the year for the 2023-24 season after a period of impressive form that included his goal against Spain in Berlin.
However, Palmer has played in only three of Tuchel’s 27 matches since the German succeeded Gareth Southgate as manager.
The former Manchester City player missed the summer World Cup after inconsistent form last season. England finished third after losing their semi-final to Argentina. Palmer was included in Tuchel’s first squad afterwards, but withdrew despite having played in all of Chelsea’s league matches up to that point.
Tuchel said: “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.
“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.”
He added: “It’s not personal. We will never assume Cole is in the mindset never to come to the camp.
“Cole is always in our mindset but the competition is on.”
Bellingham offers potential precedent
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Palmer can still return to favour, pointing to Jude Bellingham’s experience under Tuchel.
Bellingham was left out of the squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia last October, but later became a key part of England’s team at the World Cup, scoring seven goals.
“You can see what Tuchel is doing when you look at what he’s done with Jude Bellingham,” Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It was only 12 months or so that Bellingham was getting left out of an England squad. Call it what you want, but it was management from Tuchel to make Bellingham realise that he wasn’t the lone star of this team – the team was the star.
“The team was better with Bellingham in it, playing at his highest level.
“There was a lesson in his management skills with Bellingham and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s doing the same now.”
