10 hours ago
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Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England duty with Chelsea keen to manage their playmaker over the three-week international break - as Morgan Gibbs-White is called up in his place.
Nottingham Forest star Gibbs-White, 26, had been on holiday with his family in Dubai after playing in the defeat by Coventry on Saturday but is immediately returning to answer England's call.
Chelsea sources have told Daily Mail Sport that Palmer, 24, has a muscular injury which they want to oversee.
England are due to face 2026 World Cup winners Spain first, before two games against Czechia and another versus Croatia. Thomas Tuchel is scheduled to speak this Friday, when he will be able to offer his opinion on losing Palmer.
Tuchel did not take Palmer to the World Cup after his last subpar season with Chelsea, and, speaking at Wembley Stadium after announcing his squad for this break, said the player should have 'a point to prove'.
Gibbs-White, like Palmer, was left out of Tuchel's World Cup squad but has now found a way back into the picture with his impressive form and rivals' pull-outs.
Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Tino Livramento and Declan Rice have also withdrawn. James Garner joins Gibbs-White in the squad.
Cole Palmer has pulled out of the England squad with a small injury and to manage his work load after an injury-hit season last campaign
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has been called up in place of the midfielder - leaving his family holiday in Dubai to answer his country's call
Gibbs-White and partner Britney De Villiers had flown out to Dubai after he played on Saturday
Palmer has started every Premier League game under Xabi Alonso this term. After managing 83 minutes in their opening win away at Fulham, he has completed four full 90s since. That included in their Friday night trip to Brentford, who beat Chelsea 3-0. He has been in fine form overall, scoring two goals and assisting twice in those league games.
Palmer is not the only Chelsea representative who will not be going away with their country over this break. Joao Pedro has likewise withdrawn from playing for Brazil with an injury cited, while Moises Caicedo has been left out of the Ecuador squad. Chelsea captain Reece James, a favourite of Tuchel's was not named by England, either.
Despite sources describing Palmer as having a muscular issue, him pulling out of England duty is bound to spark a debate surrounding club versus country. The news of his impending withdrawal led to immediate criticism.
His decision comes after Tuchel had issued the 24-year-old with a stern warning upon recalling him to the squad last week.
Tuchel said: 'It is one thing to be nominated, like with Cole, and getting your ticket back in the squad but it's another thing to perform for England.
'Cole needs to step up when he comes and he needs to show these kind of numbers to get his place, keep his shirt and justify the nomination.'
He added: 'So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries. Some have less injuries. Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back - he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back - so that is why he is in the squad.
'I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself.'
Palmer has four goals and two assists in seven games this season after struggling during the last campaign through injury.
He battled thigh and hamstring problems as he returned 11 goals and three assists in 34 games, revealing on a live stream last week: 'I had one leg for 10 months, f***ing hell, what do you want me to do?'
Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) have also withdrawn
Gibbs-White, who many were stunned wasn't called up, will replace Palmer after Tuchel cited having too many attacking midfielders to include them all as the reason for his omission.
'It makes no sense to nominate three, four, five No 10s,' Tuchel said. 'It just does not help anyone.
'We can see the form he is in. He ended the season very strongly and is a key player for Forest. We can see him stepping up now.'
