Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League after suffering a muscle injury, Sky Sports reported Monday.
The 24-year-old was recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday, September 18, after being left out of the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad. He will now miss England’s September and October international fixtures.
“Cole Palmer is withdrawing from the England squad because of a muscle injury,” Sky Sports reported.
Palmer played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by Brentford on Friday, the same day Tuchel named him in his 27-man England squad.
The forward had made a strong start to the new campaign, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.
His withdrawal comes just days after Tuchel handed him a route back into the England setup following his World Cup omission.
Explaining Palmer’s recall, Tuchel said: “Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.”
Palmer had also told Sky Sports that he was feeling physically stronger before the latest setback.
“Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes,” he said.
“Since I’ve come back I’ve been working every day to obviously stop it happening again. I just want to stay injury free, and if I’m on the pitch then I know what I can do.”
Chelsea had listed Palmer among the players called up for international duty, confirming his return to Tuchel’s squad for the start of England’s Nations League campaign.
England are scheduled to host Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, before travelling to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday, September 29.
They will then travel to Croatia on Saturday, October 3, before hosting Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, October 6.
Palmer’s withdrawal leaves Tuchel without the Chelsea forward for the opening four Nations League fixtures, only three days after recalling him to the squad.
Tuchel made eight changes to his squad following the World Cup, with Palmer and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold among the high-profile returnees.
Palmer’s latest setback follows an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, which contributed to his absence from England’s World Cup squad.
Chelsea later confirmed Palmer would remain at the club to focus on his recovery.
“Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer and Omari Kellyman have withdrawn from international duty this month after being called up by France, England and England Under-20s respectively.
“Fofana and Palmer will instead focus on their fitness at Cobham, while Kellyman has suffered a hamstring injury,” the club said on its website.
