Why Cole Palmer is not playing for England in Nations League despite Chelsea star being former Lee Carsley favourite

Cole Palmer will miss the chance to take his stunning Chelsea form onto the international stage with England this afternoon.

Last season’s Premier League Young Player of the Year has already set down a marker to challenge for the main gong this campaign.

The 22-year-old is leading the division’s assists charts with four, despite Chelsea winning just one of their opening three games.

Palmer, who also opened his goalscoring account for the new Premier League season, has continued to go from strength to strength.

He would have been relishing the opportunity to reunite with Lee Carsley, with whom he won the U21 Euros in the summer of 2023.

Palmer was the matchwinner during a 1-0 win over Spain after his free-kick secured the Young Lions’ first European trophy in 39 years.

12 months later, he almost replicated that accolade for England’s senior side with another goal against La Roja in the Euro 2024 final.

However, the Three Lions ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in what proved to be Gareth Southgate‘s final game in charge.

Palmer will now not have the opportunity to install himself as the face of England’s new era this week and here’s why…

Why is Palmer not playing for England?

The playmaker was one of three players to withdraw from Carsley’s squad for England’s Nations League fixtures.

Palmer had appeared set to win his 10th and 11th caps for the Three Lions in the double-header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

However, he has also struggled with injury issues over the past month and after reporting to St George’s Park, was assessed, and then sent back to Chelsea to continue his recovery.

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“Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden will play no part in England’s forthcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures,” an FA statement read.

“The Three Lions squad reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, both Palmer and Watkins returned to their clubs to continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues.

“Foden did not report through illness and is ruled out of the matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland.”

Palmer was spotted limping down the tunnel after Chelsea’s first-leg 2-0 win over Servette last month while clutching his hamstring.

However, he has been named fit to start in all three of Enzo Maresca‘s Premier League games and played the full 90 minutes in the Blues’ draw with Crystal Palace last Sunday.

His latest issue is not thought to be a serious one, and there’s no suggestion Palmer won’t be available for the trip to Bournemouth.

Another development occurred earlier this week though, with Palmer left out of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League league phase squad.

The decision is said to have been made with load management in mind, indicating some concerns about Palmer being overworked.

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So that may have been taken into account with this decision to withdraw from the England squad too.

Both of the Three Lions’ games will be live on talkSPORT and presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary of the fixtures will come from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce. 

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.