Xabi Alonso Backs Cole Palmer Following Exclusion From England Squad
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso expressed full support for Cole Palmer following the forward's omission from the latest England squad.

In Brief
- •Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso expressed full support for Cole Palmer following the forward's omission from the latest England squad.
- •England manager Thomas Tuchel left the 24-year-old out of the squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, citing missed opportunities due to injury.
- •Palmer has registered five goals and three assists in 11 matches across all competitions for Chelsea this season while building an attacking partnership with Morgan Rogers and João Pedro.
- •Alonso urged Palmer to ignore national selection debates and remain focused on his performance and development at Stamford Bridge.
Why It Matters
Alonso's public backing emphasizes Chelsea's priority on maintaining squad morale and managing player psychology amid high-profile national team exclusions. As Palmer remains a central component of Chelsea's attacking structure, stabilizing his focus on club duties is critical following a recent red card against Tottenham and an open-play goal drought in the Premier League dating back to August. Furthermore, Thomas Tuchel's selection stance signals that international selection for England will strictly require consistent fitness and impactful performances, placing additional pressure on key figures vying for squad return.
Key Details
- Palmer Season Output
- 5 goals, 3 assists in 11 matches
- England Caps Post-Euro 2024
- 5 caps
- Player Age
- 24 years old
- Upcoming Fixtures
- UEFA Nations League matches vs Croatia and Spain
Context & Background
Cole Palmer scored for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, but injury setbacks and squad omissions have restricted him to just five caps since that match.
What To Watch
England's upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
Original Reporting & Sources
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