Morgan Rogers says it is a “lie” that his Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer does not want to play for England.
The Chelsea playmaker, who did not make last summer’s World Cup squad, was not called up by England manager Thomas Tuchel for the Uefa Nations League double header with Croatia, which the Three Lions won 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday, and in Spain on Sunday night.
The German made headlines in September when he said Palmer, 24, “misses too many opportunities to impress him” following the attacker’s withdrawal from that month’s Nations League fixtures due to injury.
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David Reed and Pete Smith deliver their England player ratings following the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over Croatia, as Harry Kane makes history on a record-breaking night and England secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
However, Rogers – who opened the scoring against Croatia – has rushed to Palmer’s defence.
“It’s a lie,” Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live of his Chelsea team-mate, who has contributed five goals and three assists in 12 games in all competitions this season.
“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. People just see it as news and say the easy thing.
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“We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he’s been managing them injuries ever since. He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100 per cent himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself.
“Of course he does, who wouldn’t? But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10/15 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.
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Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso swerved questions about Cole Palmer’s hunger to play for England after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s side once again.
“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. But it’s something he has to deal with but I can assure you he wants to be here and he wants to play for his country.”
However, when asked about the quotes in his post-match press conference after England beat Croatia, Tuchel said: “It’s totally fine. He’s his team-mate and friend, so why wouldn’t he?
“I was very happy with the commitment of Morgan Rogers and that’s what matters.”
Tuchel sends out clear message with Palmer decision
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett:
“In leaving Cole Palmer out of this squad, Thomas Tuchel has sent a clear message to both the Chelsea man, and to every other England wannabe, whatever your status and experience in international football.
“The message is stark – you have to be present, you have to be committed, you have to be humble, as part of a wider push for a positive squad dynamic. And for Tuchel, it is clear he feels Palmer has not done enough to prove he has those three qualities. Tuchel doesn’t doubt his ability – eight goal involvements in 11 matches is a much better output than either Ebe Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White have managed so far this season. And yet they are both in, and Palmer is out.
“When he withdrew from the last England squad in September because of a minor injury, that was the final straw for Tuchel. Five times, since the German coach took over in January 2025, Palmer has been unavailable because of injury. On two of those occasions, Tuchel named Palmer in his squad, only for him to withdraw. He has only played three matches in the Tuchel era.
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Sky Sports’ correspondent Rob Dorsett explains the frustrations Thomas Tuchel has with Cole Palmer in relation to his withdrawal from the England squad.
“If he had picked Palmer this time, and dropped another number 10 to accommodate him, that would have been entirely the wrong message that Tuchel wanted to portray to the rest of his squad.
“Tuchel expects the sort of loyalty and determination shown by John Stones, Jude Bellingham and – most recently – Declan Rice, who have all chosen to still spend some time with the squad, even when they weren’t fit enough to play.
“So, the England boss has made an example of the man who scored for his country in a Euros final two years ago. And that should be taken as a warning to Palmer personally, and as a cautionary tale to everyone else who wants to be part of his England squad.”