Palmer to miss England's opening World Cup qualifiers

The Chelsea forward is named in Tuchel's first squad but has not joined up while being assessed by his club

Premier League - Chelsea v Southampton - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - Feb 25, 2025 Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the warm up before the match REUTERS/David Klein

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will miss England's opening World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia because of a muscle injury, head coach Thomas Tuchel said on Thursday.

Palmer was named in Tuchel's first squad but has not joined up while being assessed by his club.

"Cole will not be with us. He was not on the pitch with Chelsea," Tuchel told reporters ahead of the squad's final training session for Friday's home clash with Albania.

"We've waited quite a while now for feedback and for the chance, maybe, to call him up. But he's not on the pitch and not available. It makes no sense to call him up now.

"We stay with this group that we have. Everybody is in training today, all 26 players, so it gives us the full choice."

The 22-year-old scored in last year's Euro 2024 final and is seen as an integral part of Tuchel's plans, although he has struggled for form and fitness for Chelsea recently.

England host Latvia on Monday.