Morgan Rogers has strongly rejected claims that Cole Palmer lacks commitment to playing for England, labeling such accusations as “a lie” and “nonsense.” Rogers defended his childhood friend and international teammate following Palmer’s absence from the national squad for November’s Nations League fixtures.
Defense of Palmer’s National Team Commitment
Palmer was omitted from the latest England squad after withdrawing from the September-October training camp due to an injury. Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Rogers pushed back against criticism surrounding the 24-year-old Chelsea attacking midfielder.
“It’s a lie. He wants to be here,” Rogers told BBC Radio 5Live. He explained that Palmer wanted to represent his country as usual, but has been dealing with ongoing injury issues following a difficult 2025-26 season.
Rogers detailed that Palmer experienced a challenging period last year while sidelined and felt below 100 percent when playing. He stressed that Palmer needs to look after his body to maintain a long career, and managing fitness in the short term should not be misinterpreted as a desire to avoid international duty.
Tuchel’s Stance and International Record
The comments follow previous statements from England head coach Thomas Tuchel regarding Palmer’s availability. In September, Tuchel noted that the player “misses way too many camps” because of injuries, adding that he could only depend on players physically present. When asked if Palmer appeared less eager to be part of the squad, Tuchel admitted it was “hard to argue against” that observation.
Palmer has earned 14 caps for England, notably scoring in the Euro 2024 final loss against Spain. However, persistent fitness issues limited him to a single appearance for the national team in 2025. After returning for friendlies in March 2026, he was excluded from Tuchel’s World Cup squad and has played only three matches under the German coach.
For the November games, Tuchel retained the attacking midfield options he utilized during the September-October camp, choosing Rogers alongside Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, and Josh King.
