England manager Thomas Tuchel don talk say Cole Palmer dey miss too many opportunities to play for England, after the Chelsea forward remove himself from the latest squad. Tuchel yarn dis one for press conference ahead of Saturday game against Spain for Wembley.
Palmer withdrawal surprise many people, because e don start all five of Chelsea matches for Premier League dis season. But Tuchel explain say the 24-year-old dey play with discomfort and pain, and e no fit compete at highest level with that kind pain. Chelsea inform England say Palmer withdraw.
Tuchel talk say na missed opportunity. E no blame Palmer, but e say na fact say Palmer dey miss too many camps with injuries. The coach say e only want rely on wetin e witness and see inside him team, and for that player must dey camp. If you no dey camp, you no go fit reach next level to impress because you only fit do am when you dey pitch with coach.
Dem understand say Palmer currently dey abroad to complete injury-specific training plan. Chelsea non-international players collect days off and dem allow travel if dem wish. A Chelsea rehabilitation coach follow Palmer on the overseas trip.
Other players wey also pull out with injury na Declan Rice, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo. Tuchel say e no dey worried say players fit put club before country. E talk say dem no dey manage load. When e dey club football, e use term international break, but from other side picture different. E call am competitive environment wey players love to be part of, and na wetin togetherness and brotherhood look like. E say dem no go compromise on that, and dem focus on guys wey absolutely want play for England.
England match against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday na first game since World Cup end. Three Lions end tournament with 6-4 win for Bronze medal match against France, but dem chop criticism for how dem lose 2-1 to Argentina for semi-final. England lead 1-0 going into final 15 minutes, but dem drop deep and concede possession, and Argentina score two goals for final minutes to reach final.
Tuchel no think say fans go react negative because of that result. E talk say e go surprise am if atmosphere hold third place or accident for 85th minute of semi-final against dem and against their team. E say time and how fast ticket sell out show am say everybody dey excited to come watch. E add say Spain dey make am hard for you to play high intensity game. Dem happy to control ball and rhythm. E say there fit be spells when England go suffer, but there fit be spells when dem dominate and bring attributes wey make dem strong.
For another side, Trent Alexander-Arnold dey contention to wear England jersey again. Tuchel talk say na time for am to fight for him place. For first time since June 2025, after e miss England roster for 2026 World Cup, the Real Madrid fullback dey list. Tuchel say Alexander-Arnold never do anything wrong, dem just choose different players, and now na new competition.
Spain go be England first opponent for league phase of UEFA Nations League. Match dey Wembley on Saturday, and e be major test and big opportunity for Alexander-Arnold to establish himself as England starting right back. Competition for the position don reduce well well. Reece James, Djed Spence and Ben White all dey out with injuries. Tino Livramento, wey dem initially call up, also withdraw at last minute. Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier don retire from international soccer. Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa dey squad, but both na center backs, not natural right back. Of 24 players wey remain after five withdrawals and two additions, Alexander-Arnold na the only natural right back.
Tuchel still no go just hand am starting place. E talk say Alexander-Arnold never off list, e never non-selectable. E say na him chance to show, come camp and be best version of himself. E get good start in two positions for Real Madrid, and e always talk say e dey up for fight, especially for England. Tuchel confirm say Alexander-Arnold comes as a right back. That position na where e don make majority of him 34 international appearances. On Saturday e go face Marc Cucurella and Dean Huijsen.
England captain Harry Kane also answer question about withdrawals and whether players no dey prioritise playing for country enough at dis stage of season and international cycle after World Cup. Kane talk say everybody dey extremely proud to be England player. E say everybody get their own individual circumstances, physical situations, mental situations, and na down to player and coach to talk and sort out. E call schedule gruelling, with four games in 11 days, but e say e look forward to those things. E talk say ultimately na wetin you do for training pitch matter, and from start of dis week e don dey highest level.
England fixtures for Nations League: Spain at home on Saturday September 26, kick-off 7.45pm; Czech Republic away on Tuesday September 29, kick-off 7.45pm; Croatia away on Saturday October 3, kick-off 5pm; Czech Republic at home on Tuesday October 6, kick-off 7.45pm.
