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Cole Palmer Withdraws From England Squad With Muscular Injury

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 2:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Cole Palmer Withdraws

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer withdrew from the England squad, citing a muscular injury and load-management during three-week break.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said Palmer “misses too many opportunities” and questioned his desire to play.
Former England striker Emile Heskey urged the FA, England and Chelsea to coordinate a plan for Palmer.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said Palmer, after rehab in the Caribbean, is training and fit for Saturday’s Bournemouth match.

Summary

Chavarria Starts Left

Pep Chavarria earned a start on the left side after his performance against Brentford.
Chelsea fans anticipate Josh Acheampong could replace Fofana at right-back.
Marco Palestra has not played a competitive match since his summer signing.
Joao Pedro’s knee injury may keep him out of the starting eleven, Alonso will address it.
Danny Welbeck remains Chelsea’s No.9, still seeking his first Premier League goal.

Summary

Alonso Criticizes Break

Xabi Alonso said the three-week international break is “too long” and prefers shorter pauses.
He urged his side to play “more boring” but winning football, criticizing chaotic attacking displays.
After the Brentford loss, Alonso identified “cracks” in several squad areas that need fixing.
He stressed training non-international players before the Bournemouth match and said all available squad members are prepared.

History

Historical Context

The International Match Calendar, an agreement among FIFA, UEFA and FIFPro, creates windows that require clubs to release players for internationals. First applied during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, it grants a four-day release period, so players typically miss 8–12 days of club duty. Today Xabi Alonso, echoing Sir Alex Ferguson’s criticism of long breaks, calls for shorter pauses to protect squad fitness.

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Cole Palmer Withdraws

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer withdrew from the England squad, citing a muscular injury and load-management during three-week break.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said Palmer “misses too many opportunities” and questioned his desire to play.
Former England striker Emile Heskey urged the FA, England and Chelsea to coordinate a plan for Palmer.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said Palmer, after rehab in the Caribbean, is training and fit for Saturday’s Bournemouth match.

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