ENGLAND ASK CHELSEA ABOUT COLE PALMER'S FITNESS

England are understood to have consulted Chelsea about Cole Palmer's fitness ahead of Thomas Tuchel's squad announcement on Friday, 6 November. Tuchel is due to select players for Nations League matches against Spain and Croatia. Palmer withdrew from the squad for October's international break, prompting Tuchel to discuss the opportunities he had missed. The fitness enquiry comes before England's final squad announcement of 2026.

Tuchel said last month that Palmer's absence limited his opportunities to impress during England training. "He misses too many opportunities, and I don't blame him for it," Tuchel said. "If you're not in camp, there's a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you only can do it when you're actually with me on the pitch and with us on the pitch so, yeah, it is a missed opportunity." Tuchel selected 27 players for the October international break and left out Phil Foden.

England will pursue a place in the Nations League quarter-finals in this month's two matches. Tuchel's forthcoming selection will establish whether Palmer returns following his withdrawal in October. Foden's omission also forms part of the selection context ahead of Friday's announcement. Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea and Bayern Munich, is due to hold a press conference alongside the squad announcement.