Thomas Tuchel was asked about the absence of Cole Palmer in his Nations League pre-match press conference ahead of England’s clash against Spain and said he will only focus on players who are available.
The German stated that although he understands Palmer has dealt with injury issues over the past year, the more opportunities the Chelsea star misses for England, the greater the likelihood that his consideration for selection will drop.
Tuchel moreover described his camp as a “competitive environment” and not one for players to treat as an “international break”.
Focusing on who’s available
Tuchel said on Sky Sports regarding Palmer: “He plays with discomfort and pain and cannot play on the highest level with discomfort and pain.
“Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding. We’re not managing load.
“This is not an ‘international break’. It’s a competitive environment where the players love to train and be together. That’s what we created.
“We will never compromise on that. We will never let this feeling creep in that the players don’t want to come [to England camps].
“We focus on the guys who absolutely want to play for England.”
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Missed opportunity for Palmer
Asked specifically if not featuring in this camp is a missed opportunity for Palmer, Tuchel added: “For sure it’s a missed opportunity. It’s another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities.
“I don’t blame him for it – it’s just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries.
“I only want to rely on what I personally witness and see within my team. For that, you have to be in camp.
“If you are not in camp, there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it with me on the pitch and with us on the pitch.
“It is a missed opportunity.”
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